Information processing apparatus, motor-driven movable body, and discharge control method

ABSTRACT

There is provided an information processing apparatus including a travelable information display unit that displays before a discharge, regarding motor-driven movable bodies of a discharge source and a discharge destination driven by using electric power of batteries, information about places to which the motor-driven movable body of the discharge source can move using electric power of the battery left after the discharge by assuming, when information about a discharge amount discharged from the battery of the motor-driven movable body of the discharge source toward the motor-driven movable body of the discharge destination that receives power supply is input, a case in which the discharge amount is discharged from the battery.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/835,040, filed Dec. 7, 2017, which is continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/926,564, filed on Oct. 29, 2015 (now U.S. Pat.No. 9,873,348), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/702,302, filed on May 1, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,573,482), which isa continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/252,389, filed on Apr.14, 2014 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,045,053), which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/980,908, filed on Dec. 29, 2010 (now U.S. Pat.No. 8,774,995), and claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No.2010-033726, filed on Feb. 18, 2010, the entire contents of each ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, amotor-driven movable body, and a discharge control method.

Description of the Related Art

In recent years, a technology called a smart grid has gained attention.The smart grid is a technical framework to realize efficient power usageby constructing a new transmission network having a communicationchannel along with a transmission network and using the intelligenttransmission network. As a background to the smart grid initiative,there is a desire to realize efficient management of power usage, swifthandling of an incident when such an incident occurs, remote control ofpower usage, distributed power generation using power generationfacilities outside the control of a power company, or chargingmanagement of a motor-driven movable body. Particularly, effectiveutilization of in-house power generating stations using renewable energyby ordinary households or operators other than power companies andcharging management of various motor-driven movable bodies includingelectric vehicles have attracted considerable attention. Incidentally,renewable energy is energy generated without using fossil fuel.

Power generated by an ordinary household or an operator other than powercompanies is used by the power generation operator. Excessive powerafter power is used by the power generation operator is currentlypurchased by power companies. However, purchasing power supplied frompower generation facilities outside the control of a power company is aheavy burden for the power company. For example, electric energysupplied from photovoltaic power generation facilities depends on theweather. Moreover, electric energy supplied from in-house powergenerating stations of ordinary households depends on power usage ofordinary households that changes considerably day by day. Thus, it isdifficult for power companies to receive stable power supply from powergeneration facilities outside the control of power companies. For theabove reasons, it may become difficult for power companies to purchasepower in the future.

Thus, a home battery initiative that uses power generated by powergeneration facilities outside the control of power companies after beingtemporarily stored in batteries has recently gained attention. Forexample, a method of using power generated by photovoltaic powergeneration facilities by storing such power in batteries and making upfor shortages from the batteries in the night or when the weather is badis considered. Further, methods of limiting electric energy receivedfrom a power company in accordance with the battery storage amount andusing power stored in batteries during the daytime when power rates arehigher by storing power in batteries supplied by a power company in thenight when power rates are lower can be considered. Batteries candirectly store power as DC, which eliminates the need for DC/ACconversion or AC/DC conversion made for power transmission so thatlosses during conversion can be reduced.

Thus, various expectations regarding power management mingle with oneanother amid the smart grid initiative. To realize such powermanagement, the smart grid initiative is premised on having acommunication channel along with a transmission network. That is,exchanging information about power management by using the intelligenttransmission network is assumed. However, in a region where acommunication infrastructure has been built, instead of using atransmission network as a communication channel, information about powermanagement may be exchanged by using a network constructed by thedeployed communication infrastructure. That is, what is important in thesmart grid initiative is how efficiently to manage power generationfacilities and storage facilities that are not managed in a unifiedmanner.

The power management in the smart grid initiative includes powermanagement concerning motor-driven movable bodies such as electricvehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Regarding power managementintended for batteries of a motor-driven movable body, for example,Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-027772 discloses atechnology that identifies a reserve capacity of a battery and detects aduration of battery output based on the reserve capacity. Further,Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-027772 discloses atechnology that displays information about the detected output enabledtime. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-254483 discloses atechnology that displays a time or a distance in which driving of amotor-driven movable body can be continued based on a battery residualquantity. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-231103discloses a technology that displays forecast information of atravelable time and forecast information of a travelable distance basedon a power consumption pattern and a power supply pattern in motion in ahybrid vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Technologies described in the above documents concern technologies thatcalculate a travelable time or distance based on a residual quantity ofa battery consumed by traveling of a motor-driven movable body ordisplay the calculation results. However, such technologies have beeninvented by assuming current hybrid vehicles and do not take an idea ofexchanging electric power between motor-driven movable bodies intoconsideration at all. Current hybrid vehicles have an internalcombustion engine mounted thereon. Further, current hybrid vehicles havea mechanism mounted thereon that regenerates electric power to a batterywhen driven by using fossil fuel. Thus, current hybrid vehicles can bedriven by using fossil fuel such as gasoline even if the batteryresidual quantity becomes 0.

By contrast, motor-driven movable bodies driven by electric power ofbatteries are unable to travel on their own at all if the batteryresidual quantity becomes 0. In such a situation, it is necessary to towaway a motor-driven movable body that is unable to travel on its own orto charge a motor-driven movable body that is unable to travel on itsown by some method on the spot. In such a case, in consideration ofconvenience and costs, charging a motor-driven movable body that isunable to travel on its own from another motor-driven movable body ispreferable to towing away such a motor-driven movable body. However,unlike charging facilities such as charging stations with sufficientchargeable electric power, electric power to be used for driving amotor-driven movable body is supplied to another motor-driven movablebody and thus, cautious feeding control is demanded to avoid enteringstates in which the motor-driven movable body is unable to travel on itsown.

However, it is very difficult for a user to correctly decide appropriateelectric energy of electric power to be exchanged between motor-drivenmovable bodies. Thus, a mechanism to make the amount of electric energyto be transferred easily recognizable so that both a discharging vehicleand a charged vehicle can travel a necessary and sufficient travelabledistance is demanded. The present invention has been made in view of theabove demand and it is desirable to provide a novel and improvedinformation processing apparatus, motor-driven movable body, anddischarge control method capable of enabling the user to easily decidesuitable electric energy to be transferred between motor-driven movablebodies.

While technologies described in the above documents assume only vehiclesas motor-driven movable bodies, motor-driven movable bodies assumed inthe present invention are not limited to vehicles. In addition toelectric vehicles, for example, motor-driven bicycles, electric buses,motor-driven freight cars, motor-driven ships, and motor-driven planescan also be considered as motor-driven movable bodies. The above batterymeans any unit capable of accumulating energy in some form anddischarging energy again. Typical examples thereof are accumulators andcapacitors.

For example, a lithium-ion battery, nickel-metal hydride battery, leadstorage battery, and NAS battery are known as accumulators currentlyavailable. On the other hand, for example, a field-effect capacitor,ceramic capacitor, and electric double layer capacitor are known ascapacitors currently available. Also, a pumped-storage generation systemcan be considered as a kind of battery. The pumped-storage generationsystem is an example of a storage system that converts electrical energyinto potential energy for storage. For example, a hydroelectric powergeneration system that carries out hydroelectric power generation bypumping up water to a higher place using electrical energy and usingfalling motion energy of the water is a typical example of thepumped-storage generation system.

Further, a storage system using electrolysis of water can be consideredas a kind of battery. The storage system stores electric power bycarrying out electrolysis of water using electrical energy and storinggenerated hydrogen. Then, the storage system generates electric power byburning the stored hydrogen or generates electric power from the storedhydrogen using fuel cells to regenerate electrical energy. Thus,mechanisms that can use electrical energy again after temporarilystoring the electrical energy by some method can all be considered as akind of battery.

An information processing apparatus include a travelable informationsplay unit that displays before a discharge, regarding motor-drivenmovable bodies of a discharge source and a discharge destination drivenby using electric power of batteries, information about places to whichthe motor-driven movable body of the discharge source can move usingelectric power of the battery left after the discharge by assuming, wheninformation about a discharge amount discharged from the battery of themotor-driven movable body of the discharge source toward themotor-driven movable body of the discharge destination that receivespower supply is input, a case in which the discharge amount isdischarged from the battery.

The information about the places to which the motor-driven movable bodycan move may be one or a combination of a plurality of a travelabledistance, a travelable time when the travelable distance is traveled ata predetermined speed, travelable areas, and reachable charging places.

The charging places may be places where feeding facilities are installedor a destination.

The information about the discharge amount may be a first charging placereachable by the motor-driven movable body of the discharge source afterthe discharge, a second charging place reachable by the motor-drivenmovable body of the discharge destination, or a set of the firstcharging place and the second charging place.

The information processing apparatus may further include an operationprocessing unit that calculates the discharge amount when the firstcharging place is input as the information about the discharge amount,based on a distance from a current location to the first charging placeand the distance which the motor-driven movable body of the dischargesource can move per unit electric power. The operation processing unitmay calculate the discharge amount so that electric power allowing themotor-driven movable body of the discharge source to reach at least thefirst charging place is left in the battery.

The operation processing unit may calculate the discharge amount so thatelectric power allowing the motor-driven movable body of the dischargesource to reach at least the first charging place is left in the batteryand the motor-driven movable body of the discharge destination can reachat least the nearest charging place.

The travelable information display unit may display the areas to whichthe motor-driven movable body of the discharge source can move and theareas to which the motor-driven movable body of the dischargedestination can move in a distinguishable form on a map based on thedischarge amount calculated by the operation processing unit.

The travelable information display unit may display the charging placescontained in the areas to which the motor-driven movable body of thedischarge source can move and the charging places contained in the areasto which the motor-driven movable body of the discharge destination canmove in a distinguishable form on a map based on the discharge amountcalculated by the operation processing unit.

The information processing apparatus may further include a user inputunit to input the information about the discharge amount. The user inputunit may restrict user input so that a third charging place notreachable by the motor-driven movable body of the discharge sourcebefore the discharge or a fourth charging place not reachable by themotor-driven movable body of the discharge destination before thedischarge is not selected.

The information processing apparatus may further include an operationprocessing unit that calculates the discharge amount when the secondcharging place is input as the information about the discharge amount,based on a distance from a current location to the second charging placeand the distance which the motor-driven movable body of the dischargedestination can move per unit electric power. The operation processingunit may calculate the discharge amount so that the motor-driven movablebody of the discharge destination can reach at least the second chargingplace.

The information processing apparatus may further include a rangepresentation unit that presents to a user a range of the dischargeamount so that at least one charging place is contained in areas towhich the motor-driven movable body of the discharge source can moveafter the discharge and at least one charging place is contained inareas to which the motor-driven movable body of the dischargedestination can move after the discharge.

The range presentation unit may present to the user the range of thedischarge amount so that the motor-driven movable body of the dischargesource can reach the nearest charging place after the discharge and themotor-driven movable body of the discharge destination can reach atleast the nearest charging place after the discharge or the range of thedischarge amount so that the motor-driven movable body of the dischargesource can reach at least the nearest charging place after the dischargeand the motor-driven movable body of the discharge destination can reachthe nearest charging place after the discharge.

The information processing apparatus may further include an identityverification unit that verifies a user who has permission of anoperation related to discharging. The identity verification unit mayverify the user by one or a combination of a plurality of passwordauthentication, fingerprint authentication, vein authentication, andiris authentication.

The information processing apparatus may further include an attributespecifying unit to specify which motor-driven movable body of twoconnected motor-driven movable bodies to become the charge source or thecharge destination.

The attribute specifying unit may compare electric energy left in thebatteries of the two motor-driven movable bodies and specifies themotor-driven movable body with more electric energy as the motor-drivenmovable body of the charge source and the motor-driven movable body withless electric energy as the motor-driven movable body of the chargedestination.

A motor-driven movable body include a battery to store electric powerfor driving; and an information processing apparatus having a travelableinformation display unit that displays, before a discharge, informationabout places to which the motor-driven movable body can move by usingelectric power of the battery left after the discharge when informationabout electric energy discharged from the battery toward themotor-driven movable body of a discharge destination is input, assuminga case in which the electric energy based on the input information aboutthe electric energy is discharged from the battery.

A motor-driven movable body include a battery to store electric powerfor driving; and an information processing apparatus having a travelableinformation display unit that displays, before a discharge, informationabout places to which the motor-driven movable body can move by usingelectric power stored in the battery after a supply and informationabout places to which the motor-driven movable body of a dischargesource can move after the supply when information about electric energysupplied to the battery from the motor-driven movable body of thedischarge source is input, assuming a case in which the electric energybased on the input information about the electric energy is suppliedfrom the battery.

A discharge control method, including the steps of inputting informationabout electric energy discharged from a battery toward a secondmotor-driven movable body connected to a first motor-driven movable bodyvia a power line by an input means of an information processingapparatus connected to the first motor-driven movable body having thebattery; and displaying information about places to which the firstmotor-driven movable body can move by using electric power of thebattery left after a discharge in a display means of the informationprocessing apparatus based on the information input in the input step.

A discharge control method, including the steps of inputting informationabout electric energy supplied to a second battery from a firstmotor-driven movable body connected to a second motor-driven movablebody via a power line by an input means of an information processingapparatus connected to the second motor-driven movable body having thesecond battery; and displaying information about places to which thefirst motor-driven movable body can move by using electric power left ina first battery held by the first motor-driven movable body after theelectric power is supplied to the second motor-driven movable body in adisplay means of the information processing apparatus connected to thefirst motor-driven movable body based on the information input in theinput step.

Information about places to which the first motor-driven movable bodycan move may be further displayed in the display means of theinformation processing apparatus connected to the second motor-drivenmovable body in the display step.

According to the embodiments of the present invention described above,the user can easily decide suitable electric energy to be transferredbetween motor-driven movable bodies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view illustrating a function configuration ofmotor-driven movable bodies according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating the function configuration ofthe motor-driven movable bodies according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view illustrating the function configuration ofan information processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view illustrating an operation flow (whendischarging) of the information processing apparatus according to theembodiment;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view illustrating an operation flow (whendischarging) of the information processing apparatus according to theembodiment;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view illustrating the configuration of a screendisplayed in an operation flow (when discharging) of the informationprocessing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view illustrating the configuration of a screendisplayed in an operation flow (when discharging) of the informationprocessing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view illustrating the configuration of a screendisplayed in an operation flow (when discharging) of the informationprocessing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view illustrating the configuration of a screendisplayed in an operation flow (when discharging) of the informationprocessing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view illustrating the configuration of ascreen displayed in an operation flow (when discharging) of theinformation processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view illustrating the configuration of ascreen displayed in an operation flow (when discharging) of theinformation processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view illustrating the operation flow (whendischarging) of the information processing apparatus according to amodification (Modification 1) of the embodiment;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view illustrating the operation flow (whendischarging) of the information processing apparatus according to themodification (Modification 1) of the embodiment;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view illustrating the operation flow (whendischarging) of the information processing apparatus according to themodification (Modification 1) of the embodiment;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view illustrating the operation flow (whendischarging) of the information processing apparatus according to themodification (Modification 1) of the embodiment;

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view illustrating a configuration of a screendisplayed in the operation flow (when discharging) of the informationprocessing apparatus according to the modification (Modification 1) ofthe embodiment;

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view illustrating a configuration of a screendisplayed in the operation flow (when discharging) of the informationprocessing apparatus according to the modification (Modification 1) ofthe embodiment;

FIG. 18 is an explanatory view illustrating a configuration of a screendisplayed in the operation flow (when discharging) of the informationprocessing apparatus according to the modification (Modification 1) ofthe embodiment;

FIG. 19 is an explanatory view illustrating a configuration of a screendisplayed in the operation flow (when discharging) of the informationprocessing apparatus according to the modification (Modification 1) ofthe embodiment;

FIG. 20 is an explanatory view illustrating a configuration of a screendisplayed in the operation flow (when discharging) of the informationprocessing apparatus according to the modification (Modification 1) ofthe embodiment;

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view illustrating a configuration of a screendisplayed in the operation flow (when discharging) of the informationprocessing apparatus according to the modification (Modification 1) ofthe embodiment;

FIG. 22 is an explanatory view illustrating the operation flow(automatic decision of the charging/discharging side) of the informationprocessing apparatus according to a modification (Modification 2) of theembodiment;

FIG. 23 is an explanatory view illustrating a configuration of a screendisplayed in the operation flow (when discharging (recommendation ofdischarge amount)) of the information processing apparatus according toa modification (Modification 3) of the embodiment;

FIG. 24 is an explanatory view illustrating a configuration of a screendisplayed in the operation flow (when discharging (recommendation ofdischarge amount)) of the information processing apparatus according tothe modification (Modification 3) of the embodiment;

FIG. 25 is an explanatory view illustrating a configuration of a screendisplayed in the operation flow (when discharging (recommendation ofdischarge amount)) of the information processing apparatus according tothe modification (Modification 3) of the embodiment;

FIG. 26 is an explanatory view illustrating a configuration of a screendisplayed in the operation flow (when discharging (recommendation ofdischarge amount)) of the information processing apparatus according tothe modification (Modification 3) of the embodiment;

FIG. 27 is an explanatory view illustrating a configuration of a screendisplayed in the operation flow (when discharging (recommendation ofdischarge amount)) of the information processing apparatus according tothe modification (Modification 3) of the embodiment;

FIG. 28 is an explanatory view illustrating a configuration of a screendisplayed in the operation flow (when discharging (recommendation ofdischarge amount)) of the information processing apparatus according tothe modification (Modification 3) of the embodiment;

FIG. 29 is an explanatory view illustrating a configuration of a screendisplayed in the operation flow (when discharging (recommendation ofdischarge amount)) of the information processing apparatus according tothe modification (Modification 3) of the embodiment;

FIG. 30 is an explanatory view illustrating a processing flow for mutualauthentication performed by the motor-driven movable bodies according tothe embodiment;

FIG. 31 is an explanatory view illustrating a hardware configurationcapable of realizing functions of the information processing apparatusaccording to the embodiment; and

FIG. 32 is an explanatory view illustrating a modification of a screenconfiguration displayed in the operation flow of the informationprocessing apparatus according to the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that,in this specification and the appended drawings, structural elementsthat have substantially the same function and structure are denoted withthe same reference numerals, and repeated explanation of thesestructural elements is omitted.

[Description Flow]

The flow of description about embodiments of the present inventiondescribed below will briefly be described. First, the configuration ofmotor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3 according to the present embodimentwill be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Next, theconfiguration of an information processing apparatus 16 according to thepresent embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. Next, theoperation flow of the information processing apparatus 16 according tothe present embodiment at the time of discharging will be described withreference to FIGS. 4 and 5. Also, the screen configuration displayed inthe operation flow will be concretely described with reference to FIGS.6 to 11.

Next, the operation flow of the information processing apparatus 16according to a modification (Modification 1) of the present embodimentat the time of discharging will be described with reference to FIGS. 12to 15. The screen configuration displayed in the operation flow will beconcretely described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 21. Next, theoperation flow when a charging/discharging control unit 34 according toa modification (Modification 2) of the present embodiment decides thecharging/discharging side will be described with reference to FIG. 22.

Next, the operation flow of the information processing apparatus 16according to a modification (Modification 3) of the present embodimentat the time of discharging will be described with reference to FIGS. 23to 27. The screen configuration displayed in the operation flow will beconcretely described with reference to FIGS. 28 and 29. Next, theprocessing flow of mutual authentication performed by the motor-drivenmovable bodies 1 and 3 according to the present embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 30. Next, the hardware configurationcapable of realizing functions of the information processing apparatus16 and an information processing apparatus 36 according to the presentembodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 31. Lastly,technical ideas of the embodiment will be summarized and operationeffects obtained from the technical ideas will briefly be described.

(Explanatory Items)

1: Introduction

2: Embodiment

-   -   2-1: Configuration of the Motor-Driven Movable Bodies 1 and 3    -   2-2: Configuration of the Information Processing Apparatus 16        -   2-2-1: Function Configuration        -   2-2-2: Operation Flow at the time of Discharging    -   2-4: Modification 1 (Bilateral Information Display)        -   2-4-1: Operation Flow at the time of Discharging    -   2-5: Modification 2 (Automatic Decision of Charging/Discharging        Side)        -   2-5-1: Operation Flow when the Charging/Discharging Side is            Decided    -   2-6: Modification 3 (Recommendation of Discharge amount)        -   2-6-1: Operation Flow at the time of Discharging    -   2-7: Processing Flow for Mutual Authentication    -   2-8: Hardware Configuration Example    -   3: Conclusion

1: Introduction

Technology related to embodiments described later concernscharging/discharging between motor-driven movable bodies. As describedabove, there are various kinds of motor-driven movable bodies. There isno specific limit to the kind of motor-driven movable bodies to whichtechnology related to embodiments described later can be applied. Tomake understanding of technical content easier, an electric vehicle orplug-in hybrid vehicle of which a concrete image can easily be evoked isassumed for the description below. Electric vehicles and plug-in hybridvehicles are present in an actually travelable state and are expected toreplace gasoline cars in the near future.

A motor-driven movable body is driven by using electric power stored ina battery. The battery is charged by charging equipment provided at acharging station, home, retail store or the like. Thus, it is necessaryfor the motor-driven movable body to travel on its own to a place wherecharging equipment (hereinafter, referred to as a charging place) islocated. For a gasoline car, there are many gas stations in an urbanarea. Moreover, gasoline, which is liquid fuel, can be carried in a tankor the like and a fuel tank itself is large enough to provide sufficientgasoline to travel several hundred kilometers. Thus, it is rare for agasoline car to run out of gasoline, making the gasoline car incapableof traveling on its own. For a motor-driven movable body, on the otherhand, there are only a small number of charging places in an urban areaand in contrast to liquid fuel, gasoline, it is difficult to carryelectric power enough to drive the motor-driven movable body. Moreover,the battery capacity of the motor-driven movable body is limited andcharacterized by a relatively short distance over which the motor-drivenmovable body can travel.

For the above reasons, the danger of a motor-driven movable bodybecoming incapable of traveling on its own due to insufficient electricpower can be considered significantly higher than a gasoline car. Such adanger can also be considered to be delaying widespread use ofmotor-driven movable bodies. Thus, the inventors of the presentinvention devised a method of enabling an exchange of electric powerbetween motor-driven movable bodies as a method of helping amotor-driven movable body that has become incapable of traveling on itsown. When exchanging electric power between motor-driven movable bodies,it is necessary to decide the charged/discharge amount to allow bothmotor-driven movable bodies to travel at least to the nearest chargingplace on their own. However, as an actual issue, it is very difficultfor the user to decide an appropriate charged/discharge amount. In viewof such difficulties, the inventors of the present invention devised amechanism to allow the user to decide an appropriate charged/dischargeamount easily.

2: Embodiment

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below, but thepresent embodiment is devised to overcome the above difficulties andprovides a mechanism to allow the user to decide an appropriatecharged/discharge amount easily at the time of exchanging electric powerbetween motor-driven movable bodies.

[2-1: Configuration of the Motor-Driven Movable Bodies 1 and 3]

First, the configuration of the motor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3according to the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view illustrating theconfiguration of the motor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3 according tothe present embodiment. FIG. 2, on the other hand, is a modification ofthe motor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3 shown in FIG. 1. FIGS. 1 and 2schematically show how electric power is exchanged between themotor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3. For convenience of description, itis assumed below that the motor-driven movable body 1 is on thedischarging side and the motor-driven movable body 3 on the chargingside. The discharging side and charging side are specified automaticallyor manually.

First, FIG. 1 is referred to. As shown in FIG. 1, the motor-drivenmovable body 1 includes a battery 11, a drive control unit 12, a driveunit 13, a charging/discharging control unit 14, a connection terminal15, and the information processing apparatus 16. Similarly, themotor-driven movable body 3 includes a battery 31, a drive control unit32, a drive unit 33, a charging/discharging control unit 34, aconnection terminal 35, and the information processing apparatus 36. Themotor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3 are connected to a power line 2. Thepower line 2 may also have, in addition to the function as a powersupply line, the function as a transmission path.

(Function of Components Related to Driving)

The motor-driven movable body 1 is driven by using electric power storedin the battery 11. Driving of the motor-driven movable body 1 iscontrolled by the drive control unit 12. The drive control unit 12drives the motor-driven movable body 1 by supplying electric powerstored in the battery 11 to the drive unit 13. Then, the drive controlunit 12 stops driving of the motor-driven movable body 1 by stoppingpower supply from the battery 11 to the drive unit 13. The drive unit 13includes a motor or the like. The drive unit 13 that has receivedelectric power supplied from the battery 11 transmits power to a drivesystem by operating the motor with the received electric power. Whenpower is transmitted to the drive system, the motor-driven movable body1 starts to travel. In the explanatory view in FIG. 1, the depiction ofa steering means and the like of the motor-driven movable body 1 isomitted.

Similarly, the motor-driven movable body 3 is driven by using electricpower stored in the battery 31. Driving of the motor-driven movable body3 is controlled by the drive control unit 32. The drive control unit 32drives the motor-driven movable body 3 by supplying electric powerstored in the battery 31 to the drive unit 33. Then, the drive controlunit 32 stops driving of the motor-driven movable body 3 by stoppingpower supply from the battery 31 to the drive unit 33. The drive unit 33includes a motor or the like. The drive unit 33 that has receivedelectric power supplied from the battery 31 transmits power to a drivesystem by operating the motor with the received electric power. Whenpower is transmitted to the drive system, the motor-driven movable body3 starts to travel. In the explanatory view in FIG. 1, the depiction ofa steering means and the like of the motor-driven movable body 3 isomitted.

(Function of Components Related to Charging/Discharging)

The battery 11 needs to be charged to drive the motor-driven movablebody 1. Charging of the battery 11 is controlled by thecharging/discharging control unit 14. The charging/discharging controlunit 14 charges the battery 11 with electric power supplied through thepower line 2 connected to the connection terminal 15 or supplieselectric power to the power line 2 connected to the connection terminal15 by discharging electric power stored in the battery 11.

If, for example, the power line 2 of charging facilities is connected tothe connection terminal 15 in a charging place, the charging/dischargingcontrol unit 14 charges the battery 11 with electric power suppliedthrough the power line 2. If the power line 2 connected to theconnection terminal 35 of the motor-driven movable body 3 is connectedto the connection terminal 15, the charging/discharging control unit 14supplies electric power to the power line 2 connected to the connectionterminal 15 by discharging electric power stored in the battery 11.

The charging/discharging control unit 14 also exchanges information withthe information processing apparatus 16. For example, thecharging/discharging control unit 14 inputs a residual quantity ofelectric power stored in the battery 11 (hereinafter, referred to as abattery residual quantity) into the information processing apparatus 16.The information processing apparatus 16, on the other hand, inputs acontrol signal to control the discharge amount of the battery 11 intothe charging/discharging control unit 14. The charging/dischargingcontrol unit 14 into which the control signal has been input supplieselectric power to the power line 2 connected to the connection terminal15 by discharging electric power of the discharge amount indicated bythe input control signal from the battery 11.

The discharge amount is manually input by the user or automaticallycalculated by the information processing apparatus 16. However, asdescribed above, it is difficult for the user to decide the dischargeamount appropriately. Thus, the information processing apparatus 16presents supplementary information to decide an appropriate dischargeamount to the user. At this point, the information processing apparatus16 calculates the supplementary information based on the batteryresidual quantity of the battery 11 and the battery residual quantity ofthe battery 31 mounted on the motor-driven movable body 3. Content ofthe supplementary information, the calculation method of thesupplementary information, and the display method of the supplementaryinformation will be described later.

Like the motor-driven movable body 1, the battery 31 needs to be chargedto drive the motor-driven movable body 3. Charging of the battery 31 iscontrolled by the charging/discharging control unit 34. Thecharging/discharging control unit 34 charges the battery 31 withelectric power supplied through the power line 2 connected to theconnection terminal 35. If, for example, the power line 2 of chargingfacilities is connected to the connection terminal 35 in a chargingplace, the charging/discharging control unit 34 charges the battery 31with electric power supplied through the power line 2. If the power line2 connected to the connection terminal 15 of the motor-driven movablebody 1 is connected to the connection terminal 35, thecharging/discharging control unit 34 charges the battery 31 withelectric power supplied from the motor-driven movable body 1 through thepower line 2 connected to the connection terminal 35.

The charging/discharging control unit 34 inputs information into theinformation processing apparatus 36. For example, thecharging/discharging control unit 34 inputs a residual quantity ofelectric power stored in the battery 31 into the information processingapparatus 36. The information processing apparatus 36 also presents thesame information as supplementary information displayed in theinformation processing apparatus 16 or a portion of the supplementaryinformation to the user. At this point, the information processingapparatus 36 acquires the same information as the supplementaryinformation or a portion thereof from the information processingapparatus 16. Content of the supplementary information and the displaymethod of the supplementary information will be described later.

(Communication Method Between the Information Processing Apparatuses 16and 36)

If the power line 2 functions as a communication path, the informationprocessing apparatuses 16 and 36 can mutually exchange informationthrough the power line 2. If the information processing apparatuses 16and 36 have a radio communication function, the information processingapparatuses 16 and 36 can use the radio communication function tomutually exchange information. Further, if the information processingapparatuses 16 and 36 are connected by a communication cable indicatedby a broken line in FIG. 1 that is different from the power line 2, theinformation processing apparatuses 16 and 36 can use the communicationcable to mutually exchange information.

If, however, the information processing apparatuses 16 and 36 do nothave a communication function to mutually exchange information, as shownin FIG. 2, external radio terminals 4 and 5 can be used to realizeexchange of information. In the example in FIG. 2, the informationprocessing apparatus 16 is connected to the radio terminal 4 and theinformation processing apparatus 36 is connected to the radio terminal 5to realize exchange of information between the information processingapparatuses 16 and 36 via the radio terminals 4 and 5.

As the radio terminals 4 and 5, for example, mobile phones, mobileinformation terminals, notebook PCs, and mobile game machines can beexemplified. Instead of the radio terminals 4 and 5, wire terminals orcommunication adapters that mutually exchange information by using acommunication cable may be used. In the description that follows, it isassumed that information is mutually exchanged through the power line 2that connects the motor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3. In such a case,information is transmitted via the charging/discharging control units 14and 34, the connection terminals 15 and 35, and the power line 2.

The configuration of the motor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3 willbriefly be described below.

[2-2: Configuration of the Information Processing Apparatus 16]

Next, the method that allows the user to appropriately decide electricenergy exchanged between the motor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3 will bedescribed. Processing according to the method is realized by theinformation processing apparatuses 16 and 36. The function configurationand the operation flow of the information processing apparatus 16 willbe described below.

(2-2-1: Function Configuration)

First, the function configuration of the information processingapparatus 16 according to the present embodiment will be described indetail with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is an explanatory viewillustrating in detail the function configuration of the informationprocessing apparatus 16 according to the present embodiment. Since thefunction configuration of the information processing apparatus 36 issubstantially the same as that of the information processing apparatus16, a detailed description thereof is omitted. However, if there is anydifference in the function configuration between the informationprocessing apparatuses 16 and 36, such a difference will supplementarilybe described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing apparatus 16 includes acommunication unit 161, a battery residual quantity calculation unit162, a travelable distance calculation unit 163, an area search unit164, a charging place search unit 165, a storage unit 166, a displayunit 167, and a user input unit 168. Further, the information processingapparatus 16 includes an identity verification unit 169, a carbondioxide amount calculation unit 170, and a rate calculation unit 171.The information processing apparatus 16 may have a biometricauthentication sensor (not shown) mounted thereon. Further, the batteryresidual quantity calculation unit 162, the travelable distancecalculation unit 163, the area search unit 164, the charging placesearch unit 165, and the storage unit 166 constitute an operation unit160.

When electric power is exchanged between the motor-driven movable bodies1 and 3, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the power line 2 is connected to theconnection terminal 15 of the motor-driven movable body 1 and theconnection terminal 35 of the motor-driven movable body 3. If the powerline 2 is connected to the connection terminal 15, thecharging/discharging control unit 14 detects the connection and notifiesthe information processing apparatus 16 that the power line 2 isconnected to the connection terminal 15 (hereinafter, called aconnection notification). Similarly, if the power line 2 is connected tothe connection terminal 35, the charging/discharging control unit 34detects the connection and notifies the information processing apparatus36 that the power line 2 is connected to the connection terminal 35.

Then, mutual authentication described later is performed between themotor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3. The mutual authentication may beperformed by the charging/discharging control units 14 and 34 or theinformation processing apparatuses 16 and 36. In the description thatfollows, it is assumed that the information processing apparatuses 16and 36 perform the mutual authentication. If the mutual authenticationis successful, the connection notification is input into the batteryresidual quantity calculation unit 162. The battery residual quantitycalculation unit 162 into which the connection notification has beeninput acquires the battery residual quantity (hereinafter, referred toas a pre-discharge battery residual quantity) of the battery 11 from thecharging/discharging control unit 14. The battery residual quantitycalculation unit 162 that has acquired the pre-discharge batteryresidual quantity displays the acquired pre-discharge battery residualquantity in the display unit 167. Further, the battery residual quantitycalculation unit 162 inputs the pre-discharge battery residual quantityinto the travelable distance calculation unit 163.

The travelable distance calculation unit 163 into which thepre-discharge battery residual quantity has been input calculates atravelable distance (hereinafter, referred to as a pre-dischargetravelable distance) of the motor-driven movable body 1 at the presenttime based on the input pre-discharge battery residual quantity. Forexample, the travelable distance calculation unit 163 calculates thepre-discharge travelable distance based on information about fuelconsumption (average travelable distance per unit of electric power) ofthe motor-driven movable body 1 held in advance. The travelable distancecalculation unit 163 that has calculated the pre-discharge travelabledistance displays the calculated pre-discharge travelable distance inthe display unit 167. Further, the travelable distance calculation unit163 inputs the calculated pre-discharge travelable distance into thearea search unit 164. Incidentally, the travelable distance calculationunit 163 may calculate a travelable time from the calculatedpre-discharge travelable distance and an average travel speed of themotor-driven movable body 1 held in advance to display the travelabletime in the display unit 167.

The area search unit 164 into which the pre-discharge travelabledistance has been input searches for areas that can be reached with thepre-discharge battery residual quantity of the motor-driven movable body1 based on the input pre-discharge travelable distance. For example, thearea search unit 164 searches for areas as reachable areas within acircle having the current location as the center and the travelabledistance as the radius thereof on a map. At this point, the area searchunit 164 uses information of a map prerecorded in the storage unit 166or information of a map acquired from a map server or the like in a widearea network 6 via the communication unit 161.

If information of a more detailed map can be acquired, the area searchunit 164 searches for areas that can be reached when the pre-dischargetravelable distance is traveled along passable roads from the currentlocation. If, at this point, road attributes (for example, the roadwidth, one-way traffic, speed limit, suspension of traffic, andschool-commuting road) can be acquired as information of the map, thearea search unit 164 searches for areas that can be reached by themotor-driven movable body 1 by considering road attributes. If a searchengine (search server) capable of searching for reachable areas byinputting the current location and the travelable distance is present inthe wide area network 6, the area search unit 164 may search for areasthat can be reached by the motor-driven movable body 1 by using thesearch engine.

Areas (hereinafter, referred to as pre-discharge reachable areas)reachable by the motor-driven movable body 1 obtained by the search ofthe area search unit 164 are displayed in the display unit 167 by thearea search unit 164. The area search unit 164 inputs the pre-dischargereachable areas of the motor-driven movable body 1 into the chargingplace search unit 165. The charging place search unit 165 into which thepre-discharge reachable areas of the motor-driven movable body 1 havebeen input searches for charging places contained in the inputpre-discharge reachable areas. At this point, the charging place searchunit 165 uses information of a map prerecorded in the storage unit 166or information of a map acquired from a map server or the like in thewide area network 6 via the communication unit 161.

If a search engine (search server) capable of searching for chargingplaces present inside reachable areas by inputting the current locationand the travelable distance is present in the wide area network 6, thecharging place search unit 165 may search for charging places by usingthe search engine. Charging places (hereinafter, referred to aspre-discharge charging places) obtained by the search of the chargingplace search unit 165 are displayed in the display unity 167 by thecharging place search unit 165.

Thus, after the power line 2 is connected and mutual authentication issuccessfully performed, information (hereinafter, referred to aspre-discharge information) about the battery residual quantity of themotor-driven movable body 1 at the current location, travelable distance(time), reachable areas, and charging places inside the reachable areasis displayed in the display unit 167. Needless to say, informationdisplayed here may contain information about the destination set in themotor-driven movable body 1 from the start or information aboutsurrounding areas (for example, information about restaurants,convenience stores, and parking lots) (hereinafter, similarly). Suchpre-discharge information is information indicating the status of themotor-driven movable body 1 before power supply from the motor-drivenmovable body 1 to the motor-driven movable body 3 is started. A portionor all of pre-discharge information of the motor-driven movable body 1or information necessary to generate pre-discharge information may bedisplayed in a display unit (not shown) of the information processingapparatus 36 after being sent to the motor-driven movable body 3 via thecommunication unit 161 and generation processing being performed on thepre-discharge information if necessary.

Next, the identity verification unit 169 verifies the identity of theuser. For example, the identity verification unit 169 requests input ofthe user's password. After the password is input by the user, theidentity verification unit 169 verifies the identity of the user bychecking the password input by the user against a pre-registeredpassword. If a biometric authentication sensor that reads informationabout fingerprints, finger veins, retina or the like (hereinafter,referred to as a body site) is mounted on the information processingapparatus 16 or connected thereto, the identity verification unit 169requests the user to allow the biometric authentication sensor to read abody site. After the body site of the user is read by the biometricauthentication sensor, the identity verification unit 169 verifies theidentity of the user by checking the read information about the bodysite against pre-registered information about the body site.

If the identity verification fails, the identity verification unit 169notifies the charging/discharging control unit 14 of the failure ofidentity verification and also displays a warning (or displays an error)in the display unit 167. On the other hand, if the identity verificationis successful, the identity verification unit 169 notifies thecharging/discharging control unit 14 of the successful identityverification. The identity verification unit 169 also requests input ofthe discharge amount from the user. The user who has received therequest inputs the discharge amount using the user input unit 168. Afterthe discharge amount is input using the user input unit 168, thedischarge amount is input into the battery residual quantity calculationunit 162 and the charging/discharging control unit 14. The dischargeamount may also be input into the information processing apparatus 36 ofthe motor-driven movable body 3 via the communication unit 161.

The battery residual quantity calculation unit 162 into which thedischarge amount has been input calculates a battery residual quantityafter the discharge (hereinafter, referred to as a post-dischargebattery residual quantity) obtained by subtracting the discharge amountfrom the current battery residual quantity (pre-discharge batteryresidual quantity). Then, the battery residual quantity calculation unit162 displays the post-discharge battery residual quantity in the displayunit 167. Further, the battery residual quantity calculation unit 162inputs the post-discharge battery residual quantity into the travelabledistance calculation unit 163.

The travelable distance calculation unit 163 into which thepost-discharge battery residual quantity has been input calculates atravelable distance after the discharge of the motor-driven movable body1 (hereinafter, referred to as a post-discharge travelable distance)based on the input post-discharge battery residual quantity. Forexample, the travelable distance calculation unit 163 calculates thepost-discharge travelable distance based on fuel consumption informationof the motor-driven movable body 1 held in advance. The travelabledistance calculation unit 163 that has calculated the post-dischargetravelable distance displays the calculated post-discharge travelabledistance in the display unit 167. Further, the travelable distancecalculation unit 163 inputs the calculated post-discharge travelabledistance into the area search unit 164. The travelable distancecalculation unit 163 may calculate a travelable time from the calculatedpost-discharge travelable distance to display the travelable time in thedisplay unit 167.

The area search unit 164 into which the post-discharge travelabledistance has been input searches for areas reachable with thepost-discharge battery residual quantity of the motor-driven movablebody 1 based on the input post-discharge travelable distance. Forexample, the area search unit 164 searches for areas within a circlehaving the current location as the center and the post-dischargetravelable distance as the radius thereof on a map. At this point, thearea search unit 164 uses information of a map prerecorded in thestorage unit 166 or information of a map acquired from a map server orthe like in the wide area network 6 via the communication unit 161.

If information of a more detailed map can be acquired, the area searchunit 164 searches for areas that can be reached when the post-dischargetravelable distance is traveled along passable roads from the currentlocation. If, at this point, road attributes can be acquired asinformation of the map, the area search unit 164 searches for areas thatcan be reached by the motor-driven movable body 1 by considering roadattributes. If a search engine (search server) capable of searching forreachable areas by inputting the current location and the travelabledistance is present in the wide area network 6, the area search unit 164may search for areas that can be reached by the motor-driven movablebody 1 by using the search engine.

Areas (hereinafter, referred to as post-discharge reachable areas)reachable by the motor-driven movable body 1 obtained by the search ofthe area search unit 164 are displayed in the display unit 167 by thearea search unit 164. The area search unit 164 inputs the post-dischargereachable areas of the motor-driven movable body 1 into the chargingplace search unit 165. The charging place search unit 165 into which thepost-discharge reachable areas of the motor-driven movable body 1 havebeen input searches for charging places contained in the inputpost-discharge reachable areas. At this point, the charging place searchunit 165 uses information of a map prerecorded in the storage unit 166or information of a map acquired from a map server or the like in thewide area network 6 via the communication unit 161.

If a search engine (search server) capable of searching for chargingplaces present inside reachable areas by inputting the current locationand the travelable distance is present in the wide area network 6, thecharging place search unit 165 may search for charging places by usingthe search engine. Charging places (hereinafter, referred to aspost-discharge charging places) obtained by the search of the chargingplace search unit 165 are displayed in the display unity 167 by thecharging place search unit 165.

Thus, after mutual authentication is successfully performed, information(hereinafter, referred to as post-discharge information) about thebattery residual quantity of the motor-driven movable body 1 after thedischarge, travelable distance (time), reachable areas, and chargingplaces inside the reachable areas is displayed in the display unit 167.The post-discharge information is information indicating the status ofthe motor-driven movable body 1 after the motor-driven movable body 1has completed the supply of electric power to the motor-driven movablebody 3. A portion or all of post-discharge information of themotor-driven movable body 1 or information necessary to generatepost-discharge information may be displayed in the display unit (notshown) of the information processing apparatus 36 after being sent tothe motor-driven movable body 3 via the communication unit 161 andgeneration processing being performed on the post-discharge informationif necessary.

In this stage, pre-discharge information and post-discharge informationare displayed in the display unit 167. The display unit 167 alsodisplays a message to cause the user to make a selection whether tostart the discharge. The user who has received this message issuesinstructions to start or stop the discharge using the user input unit168. If the start of the discharge is instructed, the user input unit168 inputs a control signal providing notification of the start ofdischarge (hereinafter, referred to as a discharge start signal) intothe charging/discharging control unit 14. The charging/dischargingcontrol unit 14 into which the discharge start signal has been inputoutputs electric power of the discharge amount input in advance from thebattery 11. The output electric power is supplied to the motor-drivenmovable body 3 via the connection terminal 15 and the power line 2.

When the supply of electric power is completed, the charging/dischargingcontrol unit 14 inputs the discharge amount into the carbon dioxideamount calculation unit 170 and the rate calculation unit 171. Thecarbon dioxide amount calculation unit 170 into which the dischargeamount has been input calculates the amount of carbon dioxide necessaryto generate electric power of the input discharge amount. Then, thecarbon dioxide amount calculation unit 170 displays the calculatedamount of carbon dioxide in the display unit 167. The rate calculationunit 171 into which the discharge amount has been input, on the otherhand, calculates the power rate corresponding to the input dischargeamount. Then, the rate calculation unit 171 displays the calculatedpower rate in the display unit 167. The rate calculation unit 171 mayalso calculate the amount of taxation imposed on electric power of theinput discharge amount to display the amount of taxation in the displayunit 167 separately from the power rate.

According to the above method, an identity verification is firstperformed and then, pre-discharge information and post-dischargeinformation are displayed. However, after the user is caused to confirmthe situation by displaying pre-discharge information and post-dischargeinformation in advance, the identity verification may be performed onlyif the user issues instructions to start the discharge using the userinput unit 168 to perform discharge processing after the successfulidentity verification.

In the foregoing, the function configuration of the informationprocessing apparatus 16 according to the present embodiment has beendescribed. In the above description, the configuration in whichpre-discharge information and post-discharge information of themotor-driven movable body 1 are presented to the user has beenexemplified. However, a configuration in which, in addition topre-discharge information and post-discharge information of themotor-driven movable body 1, pre-discharge information andpost-discharge information of the motor-driven movable body 3 arepresented to the user may be adopted. Adopting such a configurationenables a decision of an appropriate discharge amount that takes thestatus of the motor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3 into consideration.

In such a case, the information processing apparatus 16 needs to acquirethe battery residual quantity of the battery 31 from the motor-drivenmovable body 3. Discharging from the motor-driven movable body 1corresponds to charging of the motor-driven movable body 3 and thus, thecalculation method of the battery residual quantity after thecharge/discharge is different between the motor-driven movable bodies 1and 3. By considering these points, pre-discharge information andpost-discharge information of the motor-driven movable body 3 areobtained in the same manner as pre-discharge information andpost-discharge information of the motor-driven movable body 1. Suchmodifications will be described later.

(2-2-2: Operation Flow at the Time of Discharging)

Next, the operation flow of the information processing apparatus 16 atthe time of discharging according to the present embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. Therein, concrete examples ofthe screen displayed in the operation flow of the information processingapparatus 16 at the time of discharging will be described with referenceto FIGS. 6 to 11. FIGS. 4 and 5 are explanatory views illustrating theoperation flow of the information processing apparatus 16 at the time ofdischarging according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 6 and 11 areexplanatory views illustrating concrete examples of the screen displayedin the operation flow of the information processing apparatus 16 at thetime of discharging.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the power line 2 is first connected to theconnection terminal 15 (S101) and the connection is detected by thecharging/discharging control unit 14 (S102), the information processingapparatuses 16 and 36 perform mutual authentication (S103). Theprocessing flow of the mutual authentication will be described later. Ifthe mutual authentication is successful, the information processingapparatus 16 acquires the current battery residual quantity from thecharging/discharging control unit 14 and calculates the currenttravelable distance (pre-discharge travelable distance) by using thefunction of the travelable distance calculation unit 163 (S104). At thispoint, the information processing apparatus 16 may calculate thetravelable time from the pre-discharge travelable distance by using thefunction of the travelable distance calculation unit 163.

Next, the information processing apparatus 16 searches for currenttravelable areas (pre-discharge reachable areas) from the calculatedpre-discharge travelable distance by using the function of the areasearch unit 164 (S105). At this point, the information processingapparatus 16 searches for pre-discharge reachable areas by usinginformation of a map prerecorded in the storage unit 166 or informationsources such as a map server or a search server in the wide area network6 via the communication unit 161.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has detected pre-dischargereachable areas searches for charging places present in the detectedpre-discharge reachable areas by using the function of the chargingplace search unit 165 (S106). At this point, the information processingapparatus 16 searches for charging places present in the pre-dischargereachable areas by using information of a map prerecorded in the storageunit 166 or information sources such as a map server or a search serverin the wide area network 6 via the communication unit 161.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has detected chargingplaces present in the pre-discharge reachable areas displays a map usingthe current location as a reference point, current location,pre-discharge travelable distance (travelable time), pre-dischargebattery residual quantity, pre-discharge reachable areas, and chargingplaces present in the pre-discharge reachable areas in the display unit167 (S107). At this point, in the screen configuration exemplified inFIG. 6, the map, current location, pre-discharge travelable distance,pre-discharge battery residual quantity, pre-discharge reachable areas,and charging places are displayed in the display unit 167. The screenconfiguration exemplified in FIG. 6 will briefly be described. FIG. 6 isan explanatory view showing an example of display content displayed inthe display unit 167.

As shown in FIG. 6, the information processing apparatus 16 displays amap containing the current location in the display unit 167. The rangeof the map to be displayed may be decided by setting the currentlocation in the center or in such a way that the current location andthe nearest charging place are contained in the range. The informationprocessing apparatus 16 displays the pre-discharge reachable areas inthe display unit 167. In the example in FIG. 6, the hatched range is thepre-discharge reachable areas. It is actually desirable to use a displayeasier to understand for the user by using, instead of hatching, colorsor a flashing display.

In the example in FIG. 6, pre-discharge reachable areas in considerationof road attributes are displayed. That is, the information processingapparatus 16 displays the reachable range from the current location as astarting point as pre-discharge reachable areas when the motor-drivenmovable body 1 can travel only the pre-discharge travelable distanceusing roads on which the motor-driven movable body 1 can travel as areference point. For example, roads that will be in the wrong directiondue to one-way traffic when the current location is set as the startingpoint are not contained in the pre-discharge reachable areas if notreachable by traveling in the correct direction of one-way roads. If aroad that is closed depending on time zones such as a school-commutingroad or a bus lane is present, the information processing apparatus 16displays pre-discharge reachable areas by excluding such a road in timezones when the road is closed for traffic.

In the example in FIG. 6, the pre-discharge battery residual quantity isdisplayed in a percentage in which 100% is set when fully charged.However, the display method of the pre-discharge battery residualquantity is not limited to this. For example, the pre-discharge batteryresidual quantity may be expressed in units such as watts (W),watt-hours (Wh), Joule (J), and calorie (cal). Instead of expressing thepre-discharge battery residual quantity as a numerical value, thepre-discharge battery residual quantity may be expressed by using a bardisplay in which the level of residual quantity is expressed by thelength of a bar, a pie chart in which the level of residual quantity isexpressed by the area occupied in a pie chart, or an indicator displayin which the level of residual quantity is expressed by the position ofan indicator. The pre-discharge battery residual quantity displayed heremay not indicate an exact residual quantity. For example, thepre-discharge battery residual quantity may be expressed by two levelsof “sufficient” and “insufficient” or level displays of three to 10levels.

In the example in FIG. 6, the pre-discharge travelable distance isdisplayed in the display unit 167. Further in the example in FIG. 6, thetravelable time corresponding to the pre-discharge travelable distanceis displayed. The pre-discharge travelable distance and the travelabletime corresponding thereto displayed here are numerical values obtainedwhen, for example, the motor-driven movable body 1 travels according toa predetermined traveling pattern (for example, a traveling pattern tobe criteria for calculating 10.15 mode fuel consumption or JC08 modefuel consumption). The calculation method of the pre-dischargetravelable distance and the travelable time corresponding theretodisplayed here may be made freely settable by the user. In such a case,the user can make settings so that the pre-discharge travelable distanceand the travelable time corresponding thereto when the traveling patternis traveling on a flatland at a constant speed and the constant speed isset to 30 km are displayed.

In the example in FIG. 6, information about charging places (#1 to #4)on the map is displayed as text information. In the text information,information about charging places outside the pre-discharge reachableareas is crossed out so that the user can distinguish charging placesinside the pre-discharge reachable areas. Text information aboutcharging places inside the pre-discharge reachable areas and textinformation about charging places outside the pre-discharge reachableareas may be represented in different colors. Further, text informationabout charging places outside the pre-discharge reachable areas may berepresented in different colors in accordance with the distance from thecurrent location. Text information about charging places outside thepre-discharge reachable areas may not be represented.

In the example in FIG. 6, objects indicating the charging places (#1 to#4) are displayed on the map. While all objects have the same shape inthis example, for example, objects of charging places inside thepre-discharge reachable areas and objects of charging places outside thepre-discharge reachable areas may be represented in different colors ordifferent shapes. Further, objects of charging places inside thepre-discharge reachable areas may be caused to flash or objects ofcharging places outside the pre-discharge reachable areas may be made todisplay translucently. By using such representations, the user caneasily recognize charging places inside the pre-discharge reachableareas.

In the foregoing, the display method in step S107 has been describedconcretely. While text information indicating the pre-discharge batteryresidual quantity, pre-discharge travelable distance, travelable time,and charging places inside reachable areas is displayed in the examplein FIG. 6, the display of such text information may partially or whollybe omitted when appropriate. On the other hand, it is desirable toconstantly display the current location, pre-discharge reachable areas,and objects of charging places displayed on the map.

FIG. 4 is referred to again. The information processing apparatus 16that has proceeded to step S108 after completing the display processingin step S107 performs an identity verification of the user by using thefunction of the identity verification unit 169 (step S108). At thispoint, as shown in FIG. 6, the information processing apparatus 16prompts the user to input the password or to allow a biometricauthentication sensor to read a body site. The information processingapparatus 16 into which the password or biological information has beeninput makes sure that the user who has input the password or biologicalinformation is the correct user (hereinafter, referred to as aregistered user) by checking the input password or biologicalinformation against a password or biological information registered inadvance.

If identity of the registered user is verified by the identityverification in step S108, the information processing apparatus 16proceeds to step S111 (FIG. 5) (S109). On the other hand, if identity ofthe registered user is not verified by the identity verification in stepS108, the information processing apparatus 16 proceeds to step S110(S109). The information processing apparatus 16 that has proceeded tostep S110 displays an error (or a warning) indicating that the identityverification failed in the display unit 167 (S110) before terminating aseries of operations related to processing for discharging.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has proceeded to step S111(see FIG. 5), on the other hand, prompts the user to input informationabout the discharge amount (S111). The user inputs the desired dischargeamount. However, input of the discharge amount is not necessarilynumerical input (see FIG. 9). For example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8,the information processing apparatus 16 may be configured so that thedischarge amount is input by specifying a charging place that can atleast be reached by the motor-driven movable body 1 after the discharge.In the examples in FIGS. 7 and 8, the user input unit 168 is assumed tobe a touch panel. Needless to say, the charging place may be madespecifiable by using an input device other than the touch panel.

The input method of the discharge amount specifying a charging place(hereinafter, referred to as a charging place specifying input) will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. As described above, it isdifficult for the user to input an appropriate discharge amount. Theinformation processing apparatus 16 according to the present embodimentdisplays various kinds of pre-discharge information in step S107 and theuser can decide an appropriate discharge amount with reference to suchinformation. However, it is necessary for the user to consider how farthe motor-driven movable body 1 can travel with the battery residualquantity after the desired discharge amount is subtracted or which areathe motor-driven movable body 1 can reach with the battery residualquantity. Thus, more realistically, a method of deciding an appropriatedischarge amount more intuitively is desired. The method devised here isthe charging place specifying input.

For the charging place specifying input, the user only needs to specifya charging place the motor-driven movable body 1 should be able to reachafter the discharge. In the example in FIG. 7, the input operation ofthe user is completed only by touching the object of a charging placedisplayed on the map. However, the motor-driven movable body 1 is thedischarging side and thus, the user needs to touch the object of acharging place inside pre-discharge reachable areas. Thus, if the objectof a charging place outside pre-discharge reachable areas should betouched, the information processing apparatus 16 prevents the chargingplace from being specified. In the example in FIG. 8, the inputoperation of the user is completed only by touching text information ofa charging place.

After the charging place is specified by the user, the informationprocessing apparatus 16 calculates electric energy necessary for themotor-driven movable body 1 to reach the specified charging place byusing the function of the battery residual quantity calculation unit162. Next, the information processing apparatus 16 calculates themaximum discharge amount by subtracting the calculated electric energyfrom the pre-discharge battery residual quantity. The informationprocessing apparatus 16 that has calculated the maximum discharge amountcalculates the discharge amount by subtracting predetermined electricenergy (hereinafter, referred to as an electric energy margin) from themaximum discharge amount.

The reason for subtracting the electric energy margin is to avoid asituation in which the motor-driven movable body 1 is unable to reachthe charging place after the discharge because the condition of road ortraveling pattern from the current location to the specified chargingplace is different from the assumed condition of road or travelingpattern. The electric energy margin may be made freely settable by theuser or may be automatically set by the information processing apparatus16 in consideration of the average traveling pattern of the user or thecondition of road acquired from map information.

In the foregoing, the input method of information about the dischargeamount in step S111 has been described. However, the input method ofinformation about the discharge amount is not limited to this. Forexample, the input method of information about the discharge amount maybe, as shown in FIG. 9, a method by which the user directly inputs anumerical value or, as shown in FIG. 10, a method by which the dischargeamount is specified by a bar display. For the bar display exemplified inFIG. 10, the discharge amount can be specified by expanding orcontracting the length of the bar by placing the cursor on the bar ofthe discharge amount. If the touch panel can be used, the dischargeamount can of course be specified by expanding or contracting the bar ofthe discharge amount using a finger or the like.

FIG. 5 is referred to again. The information processing apparatus 16into which information about the discharge amount has been input by theuser in step S111 to have the discharge amount specified calculates thebattery residual quantity after the discharge (post-discharge batteryresidual quantity) by using the function of the battery residualquantity calculation unit 162 (step S112). The post-discharge batteryresidual quantity is obtained by subtracting the discharge amount fromthe pre-discharge battery residual quantity. The information processingapparatus 16 that has calculated the post-discharge battery residualquantity calculates the distance that the motor-driven movable body 1can travel after the discharge (post-discharge travelable distance) byusing the function of the travelable distance calculation unit 163(S113). The information processing apparatus 16 may also calculate thetravelable time corresponding to the post-discharge travelable distance.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has calculated thepost-discharge travelable distance searches for areas that can bereached by the motor-driven movable body 1 after the discharge(post-discharge reachable areas) by using the function of the areasearch unit 164 (S114). The information processing apparatus 16 that hasdetected post-discharge reachable areas searches for charging placespresent in the post-discharge reachable areas by using the function ofthe charging place search unit 165 (S115). The calculation method of thepost-discharge travelable distance and the search method ofpost-discharge reachable areas and charging places inside thepost-discharge reachable areas are the same as the calculation method ofthe pre-discharge travelable distance and the search method ofpre-discharge reachable areas and charging places inside thepre-discharge reachable areas, respectively.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has detected chargingplaces present inside the post-discharge reachable areas displays a mapusing the current location as a reference point, current location,post-discharge travelable distance (travelable time), post-dischargebattery residual quantity, post-discharge reachable areas, and chargingplaces present in the post-discharge reachable areas in the display unit167 (S116). At this point, in the screen configuration exemplified inFIG. 11, the map, current location, post-discharge travelable distance,post-discharge battery residual quantity, post-discharge reachableareas, and charging places are displayed in the display unit 167. In thedisplay unit 167, the pre-discharge travelable distance, pre-dischargebattery residual quantity, pre-discharge reachable areas are alsodisplayed. Thus, with pre-discharge information and post-dischargeinformation is displayed together, the condition of the motor-drivenmovable body 1 before and after the discharge can easily be grasped.

The display configuration exemplified in FIG. 11 will briefly bedescribed. FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing an example of displaycontent displayed in the display unit 167. The display configurationexemplified in FIG. 11 is obtained by adding post-discharge informationto the display configuration of pre-discharge information shown in FIG.6. Thus, a detailed description of overlapped components with FIG. 6 isomitted.

As shown in FIG. 11, the information processing apparatus 16 displayspre-discharge information and post-discharge information together astext information. The pre-discharge information is the same as thepre-discharge information exemplified in FIG. 6. The post-dischargeinformation, on the other hand, is information about the post-dischargebattery residual quantity, post-discharge travelable distance,travelable time corresponding to the post-discharge travelable distance,and charging places present inside post-discharge reachable areasobtained in steps S112 to S115 described above. On the map, on the otherhand, in addition to pre-discharge information shown in FIG. 6,post-discharge reachable areas are displayed with dense hatching.Actually, it is desirable to make a display that is easily understood bythe user by using colors, instead of hatching, or a flashing display.Particularly, a display that allows the user to easily distinguishpre-discharge reachable areas and post-discharge reachable areas isdesired.

In the example in FIG. 11, objects in the same shape indicating thecharging places (#1 to #4) are displayed on the map. While all objectshave the same shape in this example, for example, objects of chargingplaces inside the pre-discharge reachable areas and objects of chargingplaces inside the post-discharge reachable areas may be represented indifferent colors or different shapes. Further, objects of chargingplaces inside the post-discharge reachable areas may be caused to flashor objects of charging places outside the pre-discharge reachable areasor outside the post-discharge reachable areas may be made to displaytranslucently. By using such representations, the user will be able toeasily recognize differences between the pre-discharge reachable areasand post-discharge reachable areas and which charging places themotor-driven movable body 1 can reach after the discharge.

In the foregoing, the display method in step S116 has been describedconcretely. In the example in FIG. 11, while text information showingthe pre-discharge battery residual quantity, pre-discharge travelabledistance, travelable time, charging places inside pre-dischargereachable areas, post-discharge battery residual quantity,post-discharge travelable distance, travelable time, and charging placesinside post-discharge reachable areas is displayed, the display of suchtext information may partially or wholly be omitted when appropriate. Onthe other hand, it is desirable to constantly display the currentlocation, pre-discharge reachable areas, post-discharge reachable areas,and objects of charging places displayed on the map.

FIG. 5 is referred to again. As shown in FIG. 11, the informationprocessing apparatus 16 that has proceeded to step S117 after completingthe display processing in step S116 prompts the user to executedischarging (S117). If the user performs an execution operation ofdischarging, the information processing apparatus 16 proceeds to stepS118. On the other hand, if the user does not perform an executionoperation of discharging, the information processing apparatus 16returns to step S111 to perform processing in step S111 and thereafteragain. The information processing apparatus 16 that has proceeded tostep S118 controls the charging/discharging control unit 14 to dischargeelectric power of the discharge amount specified in step S111 from thebattery 11 (S118).

Electric power discharged in this manner is supplied to the motor-drivenmovable body 3 through the power line 2 to charge the battery 31 of themotor-driven movable body 3.

The operation flow of the information processing apparatus 16 at thetime of discharging has been described in detail. In the abovedescription, the configuration in which the information processingapparatus 16 on the discharging side specifies the discharge amount andperforms an execution operation of discharging by assuming that themotor-driven movable body 1 is on the discharging side and themotor-driven movable body 3 on the charging side. However, modificationsmay be made such as displaying display content displayed in the displayunit 167 on the charging side or specifying the discharge amount andperforming an execution operation of discharging on the charging side.Moreover, modifications may be made so that operation processing andcommunication processing performed by the information processingapparatus 16 are performed by the information processing apparatus 36.Further, the flow from identity verification processing in step S108 tothe end of operation at the time of discharging may be moved to afterstep S117 so that discharging processing in step S118 is actuallyperformed only if identity verification processing in step S109 issuccessful. Also, modifications may be made so that an external serverconnected to the wide area network 6 is caused to perform such operationprocessing and communication processing. Naturally, such modificationsare included in the technical scope of the present embodiment.

[2-4: Modification 1 (Bilateral Information Display)]

As one of such modifications, a configuration in which information aboutboth the discharging side and charging side is displayed will bedescribed. That is, the modification described here (Modification 1)concerns the configuration in which pre-discharge information andpost-discharge information of the motor-driven movable body 1 andpre-discharge information and post-discharge information of themotor-driven movable body 3 are presented to the user before themotor-driven movable body 1 discharges. In the description below,various pieces of information about the motor-driven movable body 3,which is on the charging side, will also be expressed while classifiedinto pre-discharge information and post-discharge information.Expressions “pre-discharge” and “post-discharge” used in the descriptionthat follows mean temporal timing of before and after the motor-drivenmovable body 1 discharges, respectively.

(2-4-1: Operation Flow at the Time of Discharging)

The operation flow of the information processing apparatus 16 at thetime of discharging according to Modification 1 will be described withreference to FIGS. 12 to 15. Therein, concrete examples of the screendisplayed in the operation flow of the information processing apparatus16 at the time of discharging will be described with reference to FIGS.16 to 21. FIGS. 12 to 15 are explanatory views illustrating theoperation flow of the information processing apparatus 16 at the time ofdischarging according to Modification 1. FIGS. 16 to 21 are explanatoryviews illustrating concrete examples of the screen displayed in theoperation flow of the information processing apparatus 16 at the time ofdischarging.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the power line 2 is first connected to theconnection terminal 15 (S201) and the connection is detected by thecharging/discharging control unit 14 (S202), the information processingapparatuses 16 and 36 perform mutual authentication (S203). Theprocessing flow of the mutual authentication will be described later. Ifthe mutual authentication is successful, the information processingapparatus 16 acquires the current battery residual quantity from thecharging/discharging control unit 14 and calculates the currenttravelable distance (pre-discharge travelable distance) by using thefunction of the travelable distance calculation unit 163 (S204). At thispoint, the information processing apparatus 16 may also calculate thetravelable time from the pre-discharge travelable distance by using thefunction of the travelable distance calculation unit 163.

Next, the information processing apparatus 16 searches for currenttravelable areas (pre-discharge reachable areas) from the calculatedpre-discharge travelable distance by using the function of the areasearch unit 164 (S205). At this point, the information processingapparatus 16 searches for pre-discharge reachable areas by usinginformation of a map prerecorded in the storage unit 166 or informationsources such as a map server or a search server in the wide area network6 via the communication unit 161.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has detected pre-dischargereachable areas searches for charging places present in the detectedpre-discharge reachable areas by using the function of the chargingplace search unit 165 (S206). At this point, the information processingapparatus 16 searches for charging places present in the pre-dischargereachable areas by using information of a map prerecorded in the storageunit 166 or information sources such as a map server or a search serverin the wide area network 6 via the communication unit 161.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has detected chargingplaces present in the pre-discharge reachable areas displays a map usingthe current location as a reference point, current location,pre-discharge travelable distance (travelable time), pre-dischargebattery residual quantity, pre-discharge reachable areas, and chargingplaces present in the pre-discharge reachable areas in the display unit167 (S207). At this point, in the screen configuration exemplified onthe left side in FIG. 16, the map, current location, pre-dischargetravelable distance, pre-discharge battery residual quantity,pre-discharge reachable areas, and charging places are displayed in thedisplay unit 167. The screen configuration exemplified on the left sidein FIG. 16 is substantially the same as the screen configuration shownin FIG. 6.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has proceeded to step S208after completing the display processing in step S207 performs anidentity verification of the user by using the function of the identityverification unit 169 (step S208). At this point, the informationprocessing apparatus 16 prompts the user to input the password or toallow a biometric authentication sensor to read a body site. Theinformation processing apparatus 16 into which the password orbiological information has been input makes sure that the user who hasinput the password or biological information is the correct user(registered user) by checking the input password or biologicalinformation against a password or biological information registered inadvance.

If identity of the registered user is verified by the identityverification in step S208, the information processing apparatus 16proceeds to step S211 (FIG. 15) (S209). On the other hand, if identityof the registered user is not verified by the identity verification instep S208, the information processing apparatus 16 proceeds to step S210(S209). The information processing apparatus 16 that has proceeded tostep S210 displays an error (or a warning) indicating that the identityverification failed in the display unit 167 (S210) before terminating aseries of operations related to processing for discharging.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has proceeded to step S211(see FIG. 15), on the other hand, acquires the pre-discharge batteryresidual quantity of the battery 31 from the charging/dischargingcontrol unit 34 or the information processing apparatus 36 of themotor-driven movable body 3 (S211). The information processing apparatus16 that has acquired the pre-discharge battery residual quantity of themotor-driven movable body 3 calculates the pre-discharge travelabledistance of the motor-driven movable body 3 by using the function of thetravelable distance calculation unit 163 (S212). At this point, theinformation processing apparatus 16 may also calculate the travelabletime from the pre-discharge travelable distance by using the function ofthe travelable distance calculation unit 163.

The pre-discharge travelable distance and the travelable timecorresponding thereto displayed here are numerical values obtained when,for example, the motor-driven movable body 3 travels according to apredetermined traveling pattern (for example, a traveling pattern to becriteria for calculating 10.15 mode fuel consumption or JC08 mode fuelconsumption). Thus, numerical values necessary for calculating thepre-discharge travelable distance and the travelable time correspondingthereto are to be received from the motor-driven movable body 3 in stepS211. Instead of carrying out such a calculation by the informationprocessing apparatus 16, a calculation result may be received in stepS211 after causing the information processing apparatus 36 to carry outthe calculation. The calculation method of the pre-discharge travelabledistance and the travelable time corresponding thereto displayed heremay be made freely settable by the user. In such a case, the user canmake settings so that the pre-discharge travelable distance and thetravelable time corresponding thereto when the traveling pattern istraveling on a flatland at a constant speed and the constant speed isset to 30 km are displayed.

Next, the information processing apparatus 16 searches for pre-dischargereachable areas of the motor-driven movable body 3 from the calculatedpre-discharge travelable distance by using the function of the areasearch unit 164 (S213). At this point, the information processingapparatus 16 searches for pre-discharge reachable areas by usinginformation of a map prerecorded in the storage unit 166 or informationsources such as a map server or a search server in the wide area network6 via the communication unit 161.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has detected pre-dischargereachable areas of the motor-driven movable body 3 searches for chargingplaces present in the detected pre-discharge reachable areas by usingthe function of the charging place search unit 165 (S214). At thispoint, the information processing apparatus 16 searches for chargingplaces present in the pre-discharge reachable areas of the motor-drivenmovable body 3 by using information of a map prerecorded in the storageunit 166 or information sources such as a map server or a search serverin the wide area network 6 via the communication unit 161.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has detected chargingplaces present in the pre-discharge reachable areas of the motor-drivenmovable body 3 displays a map using the current location as a referencepoint, current location, pre-discharge travelable distance (travelabletime) of the motor-driven movable body 3, pre-discharge battery residualquantity, pre-discharge reachable areas, and charging places present inthe pre-discharge reachable areas in the display unit 167 (S215). Atthis point, in the screen configuration exemplified on the right side inFIG. 16, the map, current location, pre-discharge travelable distance ofthe motor-driven movable body 3, pre-discharge battery residualquantity, pre-discharge reachable areas, and charging places aredisplayed in the display unit 167. The screen configuration exemplifiedon the right side in FIG. 16 is substantially the same as the screenconfiguration shown in FIG. 6.

The display method in steps S207 and 215 will supplementarily bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. As described above,pre-discharge information of the motor-driven movable body 1 andpre-discharge information of the motor-driven movable body 3 aredisplayed in the display unit 167 by the display processing in stepsS207 and 215. In the above description, as shown in FIG. 16, the methodof displaying pre-discharge information of the motor-driven movable body1 and pre-discharge information of the motor-driven movable body 3 sideby side is exemplified, but the display method of pre-dischargeinformation according to Modification 1 is not limited to this. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 17, pre-discharge reachable areas of themotor-driven movable body 1 and pre-discharge reachable areas of themotor-driven movable body 3 may be displayed by being overlapped on amap.

In such a case, pre-discharge reachable areas of the motor-drivenmovable body 1 and pre-discharge reachable areas of the motor-drivenmovable body 3 are represented by using different colors or flashing sothat the user can easily distinguish. It is also desirable to representtext information about pre-discharge information of the motor-drivenmovable body 1 and text information about pre-discharge information ofthe motor-driven movable body 3 by using different colors or flashing sothat the user can easily distinguish. In such a case, text informationitself may be displayed in different representations or, as shown inFIG. 17, the background of text information may be displayed indifferent representations. It is also desirable to represent objects ofcharging places displayed on the map in different representations sothat charging places present in pre-discharge reachable areas of themotor-driven movable body 1 and charging places present in pre-dischargereachable areas of the motor-driven movable body 3 can easily bedistinguished.

In the foregoing, the display method in steps S207 and 215 hassupplementarily been described.

FIG. 14 is referred to. The information processing apparatus 16 that hascompleted the display processing in step S215 prompts the user to inputinformation about the discharge amount (S216). The user inputs thedesired discharge amount. However, input of the discharge amount is notnecessarily numerical input. For example, as shown in FIGS. 18 to 20,the information processing apparatus 16 may be configured so that thedischarge amount is input by specifying a charging place that can atleast be reached by the motor-driven movable body 1 or a charging placethat can at least be reached by the motor-driven movable body 3 afterthe discharge. In the examples in FIGS. 18 to 20, the user input unit168 is assumed to be a touch panel. Needless to say, the charging placemay be made specifiable by using an input device other than the touchpanel.

The input method of the discharge amount specifying a charging place(charging place specifying input) will be described with reference toFIGS. 18 to 20. As described above, it is difficult for the user toinput an appropriate discharge amount. The information processingapparatus 16 according to Modification 1 displays various kinds ofpre-discharge information in steps S207 and S215 and thus the user candecide an appropriate discharge amount with reference to suchinformation.

However, it is necessary for the user to consider how far themotor-driven movable body 1 can travel with the battery residualquantity after the desired discharge amount is subtracted or which areathe motor-driven movable body 1 can reach with the battery residualquantity. At the same time, it is necessary for the user to consider howfar the motor-driven movable body 3 can travel with the battery residualquantity after the desired discharge amount is added or which area themotor-driven movable body 3 can reach with the battery residualquantity. Thus, more realistically, a method of deciding an appropriatedischarge amount more intuitively is desired. The method devised here isthe charging place specifying input according to Modification 1.

For the charging place specifying input, the user only needs to specifya charging place the motor-driven movable body 1 or the motor-drivenmovable body 3 should be able to reach after the discharge. In theexample in FIG. 18, the input operation of the user is completed only bytouching the object of a charging place displayed on the map. However,the motor-driven movable body 1 is the discharging side and thus, whenthe user touches pre-discharge information regarding the motor-drivenmovable body 1, the user needs to touch the object of a charging placeinside pre-discharge reachable areas. Thus, if the object of a chargingplace outside pre-discharge reachable areas should be touched as topre-discharge information regarding the motor-driven movable body 1, theinformation processing apparatus 16 prevents the charging place frombeing specified.

On the other hand, the motor-driven movable body 3 is the charging sideand thus, when pre-discharge information regarding the motor-drivenmovable body 3 is touched, the user needs to touch the object of acharging place outside pre-discharge reachable areas. Thus, if theobject of a charging place inside pre-discharge reachable areas shouldbe touched as to pre-discharge information regarding the motor-drivenmovable body 3, the information processing apparatus 16 prevents thecharging place from being specified. In the example in FIG. 19, theinput operation of the user is completed only by touching textinformation of a charging place. Further, in the example in FIG. 20, theinput operation of the user is completed by selecting one of themotor-driven movable body 1 and the motor-driven movable body 3(Step. 1) and then, touching the object of a charging place on the map(Step. 2).

After the charging place is specified by the user, the informationprocessing apparatus 16 calculates electric energy necessary for themotor-driven movable body 1 or the motor-driven movable body 3 to reachthe specified charging place by using the function of the batteryresidual quantity calculation unit 162. If the charging place isspecified from the pre-discharge information of the motor-driven movablebody 1, the information processing apparatus 16 calculates the maximumdischarge amount by subtracting the calculated electric energy from thepre-discharge battery residual quantity of the motor-driven movable body1. The information processing apparatus 16 that has calculated themaximum discharge amount calculates the discharge amount by subtractingpredetermined electric energy (first electric energy margin) from themaximum discharge amount.

On the other hand, if the charging place is specified from thepre-discharge information of the motor-driven movable body 3, theinformation processing apparatus 16 calculates electric energy necessaryfor the motor-driven movable body 3 to reach the specified chargingplace and then calculates the minimum discharge amount by subtractingthe pre-discharge battery residual quantity of the motor-driven movablebody 3 from the electric energy. The information processing apparatus 16that has calculated the minimum discharge amount calculates thedischarge amount by adding predetermined electric energy (secondelectric energy margin) to the minimum discharge amount. The first andsecond electric energy margins may be set as different values.

In the foregoing, the input method of information about the dischargeamount in step S216 has been described. The input method of informationabout the discharge amount is not limited to this. For example, theinput method of information about the discharge amount may be a methodby which the user directly inputs a numerical value or a method by whichthe discharge amount is specified by a bar display.

FIG. 14 is referred to again. The information processing apparatus 16that has information about the discharge amount input by the user instep S216 and received the specified discharge amount calculates thepost-discharge battery residual quantity of the motor-driven movablebody 1 by using the function of the battery residual quantitycalculation unit 162 (S217). The post-discharge battery residualquantity of the motor-driven movable body 1 can be obtained bysubtracting the discharge amount from the pre-discharge battery residualquantity of the motor-driven movable body 1. The information processingapparatus 16 that has calculated the post-discharge battery residualquantity of the motor-driven movable body 1 calculates thepost-discharge travelable distance of the motor-driven movable body 1 byusing the function of the travelable distance calculation unit 163(S218). The information processing apparatus 16 may also calculate thetravelable time corresponding to the post-discharge travelable distance.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has calculated thepost-discharge travelable distance of the motor-driven movable body 1searches for post-discharge reachable areas of the motor-driven movablebody 1 by using the function of the area search unit 164 (S219). Theinformation processing apparatus 16 that has detected post-dischargereachable areas of the motor-driven movable body 1 searches for chargingplaces present in the post-discharge reachable areas of the motor-drivenmovable body 1 by using the function of the charging place search unit165 (S220). The calculation method of the post-discharge travelabledistance and the search method of post-discharge reachable areas andcharging places inside the post-discharge reachable areas are the sameas the calculation method of the pre-discharge travelable distance andthe search method of pre-discharge reachable areas and charging placesinside the pre-discharge reachable areas, respectively.

If there is a charging place inside the post-discharge reachable areasof the motor-driven movable body 1, the information processing apparatus16 proceeds to step S222 (FIG. 15) (S221). On the other hand, if thereis no charging place inside the post-discharge reachable areas of themotor-driven movable body 1, the information processing apparatus 16returns to step S216 to perform processing in step S216 and thereafteragain (S221). If the destination is inside the post-discharge reachableareas, the information processing apparatus 16 may proceed to step S222or a message may be displayed to check whether the informationprocessing apparatus 16 may proceed to step S211. The informationprocessing apparatus 16 that has proceeded to step S222 (see FIG. 15)calculates the post-discharge battery residual quantity of themotor-driven movable body 3 by using the function of the batteryresidual quantity calculation unit 162 (S222). The post-dischargebattery residual quantity of the motor-driven movable body 3 iscalculated by adding the discharge amount to the pre-discharge batteryresidual quantity of the motor-driven movable body 3.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has calculated thepost-discharge battery residual quantity of the motor-driven movablebody 3 calculates the post-discharge travelable distance of themotor-driven movable body 3 by using the function of the travelabledistance calculation unit 163 (S223). The information processingapparatus 16 may also calculate the travelable time corresponding to thepost-discharge travelable distance. The information processing apparatus16 that has calculated the post-discharge travelable distance of themotor-driven movable body 3 searches for post-discharge reachable areasof the motor-driven movable body 3 by using the function of the areasearch unit 164 (S224). The information processing apparatus 16 that hasdetected post-discharge reachable areas of the motor-driven movable body3 searches for charging places inside the post-discharge reachable areasof the motor-driven movable body 3 by using the function of the chargingplace search unit 165 (S225).

The calculation method of the post-discharge travelable distance and thesearch method of post-discharge reachable areas and charging placesinside the post-discharge reachable areas are the same as thecalculation method of the pre-discharge travelable distance and thesearch method of pre-discharge reachable areas and charging placesinside the pre-discharge reachable areas, respectively. The informationprocessing apparatus 16 that has detected charging places present insidethe post-discharge reachable areas of the motor-driven movable body 3displays a map using the current location as a reference point, currentlocation, post-discharge travelable distance (travelable time),post-discharge battery residual quantity, post-discharge reachableareas, and charging places present in the post-discharge reachable areasfor the motor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3 in the display unit 167(S226).

At this point, for example, with the screen configuration shown in FIG.21, the map, current location, post-discharge travelable distance,post-discharge battery residual quantity, post-discharge reachableareas, and charging places are displayed in the display unit 167. In thedisplay unit 167, the pre-discharge travelable distance, pre-dischargebattery residual quantity, and pre-discharge reachable areas are alsodisplayed. Thus, with pre-discharge information and post-dischargeinformation displayed together, the condition of the motor-drivenmovable body 1 before and after the discharge can easily be grasped.Moreover, pre-discharge information and post-discharge information aredisplayed together for both the motor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3 andthus, the discharge amount can be specified by considering the status ofthe motor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3 before and after the discharge.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has proceeded to step S227after completing the display processing in step S226 prompts the user toexecute discharging (S227). If the user performs an execution operationof discharging, the information processing apparatus 16 proceeds to stepS228. On the other hand, if the user does not perform an executionoperation of discharging, the information processing apparatus 16returns to step S216 (FIG. 14) to perform processing in step S216 andthereafter again. The information processing apparatus 16 that hasproceeded to step S228 controls the charging/discharging control unit 14to discharge electric power of the discharge amount specified in stepS216 from the battery 11 (S228).

Electric power discharged in this manner is supplied to the motor-drivenmovable body 3 through the power line 2 to charge the battery 31 of themotor-driven movable body 3.

The operation flow of the information processing apparatus 16 at thetime of discharging has been described in detail. In the abovedescription, the configuration has been described in which theinformation processing apparatus 16 on the discharging side specifiesthe discharge amount and performs an execution operation of dischargingassuming that the motor-driven movable body 1 is on the discharging sideand the motor-driven movable body 3 on the charging side. However,modifications may be made such as displaying display content displayedin the display unit 167 on the charging side or specifying the dischargeamount and performing an execution operation of discharging on thecharging side. Moreover, modifications may be made so that operationprocessing and communication processing performed by the informationprocessing apparatus 16 are performed by the information processingapparatus 36. Further, modifications may be made so that an externalserver connected to the wide area network 6 is caused to perform suchoperation processing and communication processing.

[2-5: Modification 2 (Automatic Decision of Charging/Discharging Side)]

Heretofore, it has been assumed that the motor-driven movable body 1 ison the discharging side and the motor-driven movable body 3 on thecharging side. The discharging side and charging side may be set by, forexample, changeover switches provided in the motor-driven movable bodies1 and 3 (for example, near the connection terminals 15 and 35) beingoperated by the user. In most cases, however, the motor-driven movablebody having a larger battery residual quantity will be set as thedischarging side and the motor-driven movable body having a smallerbattery residual quantity as the charging side. Thus, a configuration inwhich the discharging side and charging side are automatically decidedin accordance with the battery residual quantity will be described.

(2-5-1: Operation Flow when the Charging/Discharging Side is Decided)

The automatic setting of the discharging side and charging side is madeby following, for example, the operation flow of the motor-drivenmovable bodies 1 and 3 shown in FIG. 22. In the example in FIG. 22, itis assumed that the battery residual quantity of the motor-drivenmovable body 1 is larger than that of the motor-driven movable body 3.

As shown in FIG. 22, the motor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3 are firstconnected to the power line 2 (S301). Next, the motor-driven movablebodies 1 and 3 each acquire the battery residual quantity of the other(S302). Mutual authentication may naturally be performed before thebattery residual quantity is exchanged. Next, the motor-driven movablebody 1 compares the battery residual quantity of its own with that ofthe other (S303). In the example in FIG. 22, the battery residualquantity of the motor-driven movable body 1 is larger than that of themotor-driven movable body 3 and thus, the motor-driven movable body 1decides attributes of its own for the discharging side (S304).Similarly, the motor-driven movable body 3 compares the battery residualquantity of its own with that of the other (S305). In the example inFIG. 22, the battery residual quantity of the motor-driven movable body1 is larger than that of the motor-driven movable body 3 and thus, themotor-driven movable body 3 decides attributes of its own for thecharging side (S306). Then, the motor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3execute discharging processing according to respective attributes(S307).

In the foregoing, the method of automatically deciding the dischargingside and charging side has been described. User convenience is improvedby applying this method because time and effort for the user to set thedischarging side and charging side can thereby be reduced. It isdesirable to allow the user to make an automatic setting or manualsetting of the discharging side and charging side.

[2-6: Modification 3 (Recommendation of Discharge Amount)]

Next, a configuration to automatically calculate a recommended value ofthe discharge amount will be described as a modification (Modification3) of the present embodiment. The recommended value of the dischargeamount calculated automatically here is referred to when the userdecides an appropriate discharge amount or used as an actually useddischarge amount. Thus, with a recommended value of the discharge amountcalculated automatically, a user who is not familiar with the mechanismof driving the motor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3 and travelingperformance can easily decide an appropriate discharge amount.

(2-6-1: Operation Flow at the Time of Discharging)

The operation flow of the information processing apparatus 16 at thetime of discharging according to Modification 3 will be described withreference to FIGS. 23 to 27. Therein, concrete examples of the screendisplayed in the operation flow of the information processing apparatus16 at the time of discharging will be described with reference to FIGS.28 and 29. FIGS. 23 to 27 are explanatory views illustrating theoperation flow of the information processing apparatus 16 at the time ofdischarging according to Modification 3. FIGS. 28 and 29 are explanatoryviews illustrating concrete examples of the screen displayed in theoperation flow of the information processing apparatus 16 at the time ofdischarging.

As shown in FIG. 23, when the power line 2 is first connected to theconnection terminal 15 (S301) and the connection is detected by thecharging/discharging control unit 14 (S302), the information processingapparatuses 16 and 36 perform mutual authentication (S303). Theprocessing flow of the mutual authentication will be described later. Ifthe mutual authentication is successful, the information processingapparatus 16 acquires the current battery residual quantity from thecharging/discharging control unit 14 and calculates the currenttravelable distance (pre-discharge travelable distance) by using thefunction of the travelable distance calculation unit 163 (S304). At thispoint, the information processing apparatus 16 may also calculate thetravelable time from the pre-discharge travelable distance by using thefunction of the travelable distance calculation unit 163.

Next, the information processing apparatus 16 searches for currenttravelable areas (pre-discharge reachable areas) from the calculatedpre-discharge travelable distance by using the function of the areasearch unit 164 (S305). At this point, the information processingapparatus 16 searches for pre-discharge reachable areas by usinginformation of a map prerecorded in the storage unit 166 or informationsources such as a map server or a search server in the wide area network6 via the communication unit 161.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has detected pre-dischargereachable areas searches for charging places present in the detectedpre-discharge reachable areas by using the function of the chargingplace search unit 165 (S306). At this point, the information processingapparatus 16 searches for charging places present in the pre-dischargereachable areas by using information of a map prerecorded in the storageunit 166 or information sources such as a map server or a search serverin the wide area network 6 via the communication unit 161.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has detected chargingplaces present in the pre-discharge reachable areas displays a map usingthe current location as a reference point, current location,pre-discharge travelable distance (travelable time), pre-dischargebattery residual quantity, pre-discharge reachable areas, and chargingplaces present in the pre-discharge reachable areas in the display unit167 (S307). Next, the information processing apparatus 16 performs anidentity verification of the user by using the function of the identityverification unit 169 (step S308). At this point, the informationprocessing apparatus 16 prompts the user to input the password or toallow a biometric authentication sensor to read a body site. Theinformation processing apparatus 16 into which the password orbiological information has been input makes sure that the user who hasinput the password or biological information is the correct user(registered user) by checking the input password or biologicalinformation against a password or biological information registered inadvance.

If identity of the registered user is verified by the identityverification in step S308, the information processing apparatus 16proceeds to step S311 (FIG. 24) (S309). On the other hand, if identityof the registered user is not verified by the identity verification instep S308, the information processing apparatus 16 proceeds to step S310(S309). The information processing apparatus 16 that has proceeded tostep S310 displays an error (or a warning) indicating that the identityverification failed in the display unit 167 (S310) before terminating aseries of operations related to processing for discharging.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has proceeded to step S311(see FIG. 24), on the other hand, acquires the pre-discharge batteryresidual quantity of the battery 31 from the charging/dischargingcontrol unit 34 or the information processing apparatus 36 of themotor-driven movable body 3 (S311). The information processing apparatus16 that has acquired the pre-discharge battery residual quantity of themotor-driven movable body 3 calculates the pre-discharge travelabledistance of the motor-driven movable body 3 by using the function of thetravelable distance calculation unit 163 (S312). At this point, theinformation processing apparatus 16 may also calculate the travelabletime from the pre-discharge travelable distance by using the function ofthe travelable distance calculation unit 163.

The pre-discharge travelable distance and the travelable timecorresponding thereto displayed here are numerical values obtained when,for example, the motor-driven movable body 3 travels according to apredetermined traveling pattern (for example, a traveling pattern to becriteria for calculating 10.15 mode fuel consumption or JC08 mode fuelconsumption). Thus, numerical values necessary for calculating thepre-discharge travelable distance and the travelable time correspondingthereto are to be received from the motor-driven movable body 3 in stepS211. Instead of carrying out such a calculation by the informationprocessing apparatus 16, a calculation result may be received in stepS211 after causing the information processing apparatus 36 to carry outthe calculation. The calculation method of the pre-discharge travelabledistance and the travelable time corresponding thereto displayed heremay be made freely settable by the user. In such a case, the user canmake settings so that the pre-discharge travelable distance and thetravelable time corresponding thereto when the traveling pattern istraveling on a flatland at a constant speed and the constant speed isset to 30 km are displayed.

Next, the information processing apparatus 16 searches for pre-dischargereachable areas of the motor-driven movable body 3 from the calculatedpre-discharge travelable distance by using the function of the areasearch unit 164 (S313). At this point, the information processingapparatus 16 searches for pre-discharge reachable areas by usinginformation of a map prerecorded in the storage unit 166 or informationsources such as a map server or a search server in the wide area network6 via the communication unit 161.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has detected pre-dischargereachable areas of the motor-driven movable body 3 searches for chargingplaces present in the detected pre-discharge reachable areas by usingthe function of the charging place search unit 165 (S314). At thispoint, the information processing apparatus 16 searches for chargingplaces present in the pre-discharge reachable areas of the motor-drivenmovable body 3 by using information of a map prerecorded in the storageunit 166 or information sources such as a map server or a search serverin the wide area network 6 via the communication unit 161.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has detected chargingplaces present in the pre-discharge reachable areas of the motor-drivenmovable body 3 displays a map using the current location as a referencepoint, current location, pre-discharge travelable distance (travelabletime) of the motor-driven movable body 3, pre-discharge battery residualquantity, pre-discharge reachable areas, and charging places present inthe pre-discharge reachable areas in the display unit 167 (S315).

Next, the information processing apparatus 16 determines whether anycharging place is present inside the pre-discharge reachable areas ofthe motor-driven movable body 3 (S316). If a charging place is presentinside the pre-discharge reachable areas of the motor-driven movablebody 3, the information processing apparatus 16 terminates a series ofoperations related to processing for discharging. On the other hand, ifno charging place is present inside the pre-discharge reachable areas ofthe motor-driven movable body 3, the information processing apparatus 16proceeds to step S317. The information processing apparatus 16 that hasproceeded to step S317 selects, among charging places outside thepre-discharge reachable areas of the motor-driven movable body 3, thenearest charging place from the current location (hereinafter, referredto as the nearest charging place) (S317).

The information processing apparatus 16 that has selected the nearestcharging place calculates a discharge amount allowing the motor-drivenmovable body 3 to reach the nearest charging place after the discharge(S318). For example, the information processing apparatus 16 calculateselectric energy necessary for the motor-driven movable body 3 to reachthe nearest charging place by using the function of the battery residualquantity calculation unit 162. Next, the information processingapparatus 16 calculates the minimum discharge amount by subtracting thepre-discharge battery residual quantity of the motor-driven movable body3 from the calculated electric energy. The information processingapparatus 16 that has calculated the minimum discharge amount calculatesthe discharge amount by adding predetermined electric energy (electricenergy margin) to the minimum discharge amount.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has calculated thedischarge amount calculates the post-discharge battery residual quantityof the motor-driven movable body 1 by using the function of the batteryresidual quantity calculation unit 162 (S319). The post-dischargebattery residual quantity of the motor-driven movable body 1 can beobtained by subtracting the discharge amount from the pre-dischargebattery residual quantity of the motor-driven movable body 1. Theinformation processing apparatus 16 that has calculated thepost-discharge battery residual quantity of the motor-driven movablebody 1 calculates the post-discharge travelable distance of themotor-driven movable body 1 by using the function of the travelabledistance calculation unit 163 (S320). The information processingapparatus 16 may also calculate the travelable time corresponding to thepost-discharge travelable distance.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has calculated thepost-discharge travelable distance of the motor-driven movable body 1searches for post-discharge reachable areas of the motor-driven movablebody 1 by using the function of the area search unit 164 (S321). Theinformation processing apparatus 16 that has detected post-dischargereachable areas of the motor-driven movable body 1 searches for chargingplaces present in the post-discharge reachable areas of the motor-drivenmovable body 1 by using the function of the charging place search unit165 (S322). The calculation method of the post-discharge travelabledistance and the search method of post-discharge reachable areas andcharging places inside the post-discharge reachable areas are the sameas the calculation method of the pre-discharge travelable distance andthe search method of pre-discharge reachable areas and charging placesinside the pre-discharge reachable areas, respectively.

If a charging place is present inside the post-discharge reachable areasof the motor-driven movable body 1, the information processing apparatus16 proceeds to step S324 (S323). On the other hand, if no charging placeis present inside the post-discharge reachable areas of the motor-drivenmovable body 1, the information processing apparatus 16 proceeds to stepS325 (FIG. 26) (S323). Even though no charging place is present insidethe post-discharge reachable areas of the motor-driven movable body 1,the information processing apparatus 16 may proceed to step S324 orreceive user's instructions by issuing a predetermined warning messageif the destination is set inside the post-discharge reachable areas ofthe motor-driven movable body 1.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has proceeded to step S324displays, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the discharge amount calculatedin step S318 in the display unit 167 to recommend the discharge amountas an appropriate discharge amount to the user (S324). As shown in FIGS.28 and 29, a button to automatically input the recommended value of thedischarge amount into the field of the discharge amount may be providedso that the user can easily set the discharge amount by pressing thebutton.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has recommended thedischarge amount proceeds to step S325 (see FIG. 26). The user decideswhether to use the recommended discharge amount as the actually useddischarge amount and inputs a result of the decision into theinformation processing apparatus 16. The information processingapparatus 16 that has proceeded to step S325 proceeds to step S336 (FIG.27) if the user decides to use the recommended discharge amount as theactually used discharge amount in accordance with the result of thedecision of the user (S325). On the other hand, if the user does notdecide to use the recommended discharge amount as the actually useddischarge amount, the information processing apparatus 16 proceeds tostep S326 (S325).

The information processing apparatus 16 that has proceeded to step S326prompts the user to input information about the discharge amount (S326).The user inputs the desired discharge amount. However, input of thedischarge amount is not necessarily numerical input. For example, theinformation processing apparatus 16 may be configured so that thedischarge amount is input by specifying a charging place that can atleast be reached by the motor-driven movable body 1 or a charging placethat can at least be reached by the motor-driven movable body 3 afterthe discharge.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has received the specifieddischarge amount calculates the post-discharge battery residual quantityof the motor-driven movable body 1 by using the function of the batteryresidual quantity calculation unit 162 (S327). The post-dischargebattery residual quantity of the motor-driven movable body 1 can beobtained by subtracting the discharge amount from the pre-dischargebattery residual quantity of the motor-driven movable body 1. Theinformation processing apparatus 16 that has calculated thepost-discharge battery residual quantity of the motor-driven movablebody 1 calculates the post-discharge travelable distance of themotor-driven movable body 1 by using the function of the travelabledistance calculation unit 163 (S328). The information processingapparatus 16 may also calculate the travelable time corresponding to thepost-discharge travelable distance.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has calculated thepost-discharge travelable distance of the motor-driven movable body 1searches for post-discharge reachable areas of the motor-driven movablebody 1 by using the function of the area search unit 164 (S329). Theinformation processing apparatus 16 that has detected post-dischargereachable areas of the motor-driven movable body 1 searches for chargingplaces present in the post-discharge reachable areas of the motor-drivenmovable body 1 by using the function of the charging place search unit165 (S330). The calculation method of the post-discharge travelabledistance and the search method of post-discharge reachable areas andcharging places inside the post-discharge reachable areas are the sameas the calculation method of the pre-discharge travelable distance andthe search method of pre-discharge reachable areas and charging placesinside the pre-discharge reachable areas, respectively.

If a charging place is present inside the post-discharge reachable areasof the motor-driven movable body 1, the information processing apparatus16 proceeds to step S332 (FIG. 27) (S331). On the other hand, if nocharging place is present inside the post-discharge reachable areas ofthe motor-driven movable body 1, the information processing apparatus 16returns to step S325 to perform processing in step S325 and thereafteragain (S331).

If a determination is made in step S331 that no charging place ispresent, the user may be allowed to select the end of processing. Eventhough no charging place is present inside the post-discharge reachableareas of the motor-driven movable body 1, the information processingapparatus 16 may proceed to step S332 or receive user's instructions byissuing a predetermined warning message if the destination is set insidethe post-discharge reachable areas of the motor-driven movable body 1.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has proceeded to step S332(see FIG. 27) calculates the post-discharge battery residual quantity ofthe motor-driven movable body 3 by using the function of the batteryresidual quantity calculation unit 162 (S332). The post-dischargebattery residual quantity of the motor-driven movable body 3 can becalculated by adding the discharge amount to the pre-discharge batteryresidual quantity of the motor-driven movable body 3.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has calculated thepost-discharge battery residual quantity of the motor-driven movablebody 3 calculates the post-discharge travelable distance of themotor-driven movable body 3 by using the function of the travelabledistance calculation unit 163 (S333). The information processingapparatus 16 may also calculate the travelable time corresponding to thepost-discharge travelable distance. The information processing apparatus16 that has calculated the post-discharge travelable distance of themotor-driven movable body 3 searches for post-discharge reachable areasof the motor-driven movable body 3 by using the function of the areasearch unit 164 (S334). The information processing apparatus 16 that hasdetected post-discharge reachable areas of the motor-driven movable body3 searches for charging places present in the post-discharge reachableareas of the motor-driven movable body 3 by using the function of thecharging place search unit 165 (S335).

The calculation method of the post-discharge travelable distance and thesearch method of post-discharge reachable areas and charging placesinside the post-discharge reachable areas are the same as thecalculation method of the pre-discharge travelable distance and thesearch method of pre-discharge reachable areas and charging placesinside the pre-discharge reachable areas, respectively. The informationprocessing apparatus 16 that has detected charging places present in thepost-discharge reachable areas of the motor-driven movable body 3displays a map using the current location as a reference point, currentlocation, post-discharge travelable distance (travelable time),post-discharge battery residual quantity, post-discharge reachableareas, and charging places present in the post-discharge reachable areasfor the motor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3 in the display unit 167(S336).

At this point, the map, current location, post-discharge travelabledistance, post-discharge battery residual quantity, post-dischargereachable areas, and charging places are displayed in the display unit167. In the display unit 167, the pre-discharge travelable distance,pre-discharge battery residual quantity, and pre-discharge reachableareas are also displayed. Thus, with pre-discharge information andpost-discharge information displayed together, the condition of themotor-driven movable body 1 before and after the discharge can easily begrasped. Moreover, pre-discharge information and post-dischargeinformation are displayed together for both the motor-driven movablebodies 1 and 3 and thus, the discharge amount can be specified byconsidering the status of the motor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3 beforeand after the discharge.

If no charging place is detected in step S335 in FIG. 27, dischargingprocessing can be performed. This is because, though there is thepossibility that the motor-driven movable body 3 may not be able toreach the nearest charging place after the motor-driven movable body 3is charged with the maximum electric power that can be supplied from themotor-driven movable body 1, the motor-driven movable body 3 can comecloser to the charging place to some extent by being charged and canreach the charging place in the end by receiving electric power againfrom another motor-driven movable body.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has proceeded to step S337after completing the display processing in step S336 prompts the user toexecute discharging (S337). If the user performs an execution operationof discharging, the information processing apparatus 16 proceeds to stepS338. On the other hand, if the user does not perform an executionoperation of discharging, the information processing apparatus 16returns to step S325 (FIG. 26) to perform processing in step S325 andthereafter again. If the user performs a termination operation ofdischarging, a sequence of processing ends.

The information processing apparatus 16 that has proceeded to step S338controls the charging/discharging control unit 14 to discharge electricpower of the discharge amount decided in step S325 or the dischargeamount specified in step S326 from the battery 11 (S338).

The electric power discharged in this manner is supplied to themotor-driven movable body 3 through the power line 2 to charge thebattery 31 of the motor-driven movable body 3.

In the foregoing, the operation flow of the information processingapparatus 16 at the time of discharging has been described in detail. Inthe above description, the configuration has been described in which theinformation processing apparatus 16 on the discharging side specifiesthe discharge amount and performs an execution operation of dischargingby assuming that the motor-driven movable body 1 is on the dischargingside and the motor-driven movable body 3 on the charging side. However,modifications may be made such as displaying display content displayedin the display unit 167 on the charging side or specifying the dischargeamount and performing an execution operation of discharging on thecharging side. Moreover, modifications may be made so that operationprocessing and communication processing performed by the informationprocessing apparatus 16 are performed by the information processingapparatus 36. Further, modifications may be made so that an externalserver connected to the wide area network 6 is caused to perform suchoperation processing and communication processing.

[2-7: Processing Flow for Mutual Authentication]

The processing flow for mutual authentication performed between themotor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3 according to the present embodimentwill be described with reference to FIG. 30. FIG. 30 is an explanatoryview illustrating the processing flow for mutual authenticationperformed between the motor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3 according tothe present embodiment. It is assumed that the motor-driven movable body1 and the motor-driven movable body 3 hold a common key forauthentication (authentication key). Mutual authentication between themotor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3 is actually performed between thecharging/discharging control units 14 and 34 or between the informationprocessing apparatuses 16 and 36.

First, the motor-driven movable body 1 generates a random number R₁(S11). Next, the motor-driven movable body 1 sends the random number R₁and identification information ID₁ of its own to the motor-drivenmovable body 3 (S12). The motor-driven movable body 3 that has receivedthe random number R₁ and the identification information ID₁ generates arandom number R₃ (S13). Next, the motor-driven movable body 3 generatesa cipher text E₃ by using the random numbers R₁ and R₃ and theidentification information ID₁ (S14). Then, the motor-driven movablebody 3 sends the cipher text E₃ to the motor-driven movable body 1(S15).

The motor-driven movable body 1 that has received the cipher text E₃decrypts the cipher text E₃ (S16). Then, the motor-driven movable body 1checks that the random number R₁ and the identification information ID₁obtained by the decryption are the same as the random number R₁ and theidentification information ID₁ held by the motor-driven movable body 1(S17). If the check is successful, the motor-driven movable body 1generates a session key K (S18). If the check fails, the motor-drivenmovable body 1 outputs an error before terminating a sequence ofprocessing related to the mutual authentication.

The motor-driven movable body 1 that has generated the session key Kafter the successful check encrypts the random numbers R₁ and R₃ and thesession key K to generate a cipher text E₁ (S19). Then, the motor-drivenmovable body 1 sends the cipher text E₁ to the motor-driven movable body3 (S20). The motor-driven movable body 3 that has received the ciphertext E₁ decrypts the cipher text E₁ (S21). Then, the motor-drivenmovable body 3 checks that the random numbers R₁ and R₃ obtained bydecryption and the random numbers R₁ and R₃ held by the motor-drivenmovable body 3 are the same (S22).

If the check is successful, the mutual authentication between themotor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3 is successful. If the mutualauthentication is successful in this manner, the session key K will beshared between the motor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3, establishing asecure communication path using the session key K. On the other hand, ifthe check fails, the motor-driven movable body 3 outputs an error beforeterminating a sequence of processing related to the mutualauthentication. In the foregoing, the processing flow for mutualauthentication performed between the motor-driven movable bodies 1 and 3according to the present embodiment has been described.

[2-8: Hardware Configuration Example]

The function of each structural element of the information processingapparatuses 16 and 36 described above can be realized by using thehardware configuration of an information processing apparatus shown inFIG. 31, for example. That is, the function of each structural elementis realized by controlling the hardware shown in FIG. 31 by using acomputer program. Additionally, the mode of this hardware is arbitrary,and may be a personal computer, a mobile information terminal such as amobile phone, a PHS or a PDA, a game machine, or various types ofinformation appliances. Moreover, the PHS is an abbreviation forPersonal Handy-phone System. Also, the PDA is an abbreviation forPersonal Digital Assistant.

As shown in FIG. 31, this hardware mainly includes a CPU 902, a ROM 904,a RAM 906, a host bus 908, and a bridge 910. Furthermore, this hardwareincludes an external bus 912, an interface 914, an input unit 916, anoutput unit 918, a storage unit 920, a drive 922, a connection port 924,and a communication unit 926. Moreover, the CPU is an abbreviation forCentral Processing Unit. Also, the ROM is an abbreviation for Read OnlyMemory. Furthermore, the RAM is an abbreviation for Random AccessMemory.

The CPU 902 functions as an arithmetic processing unit or a controlunit, for example, and controls an entire operation or a part of theoperation of each structural element based on various programs recordedon the ROM 904, the RAM 906, the storage unit 920, or a removalrecording medium 928. The ROM 904 is means for storing, for example, aprogram to be loaded on the CPU 902 or data or the like used in anarithmetic operation. The RAM 906 temporarily or perpetually stores, forexample, a program to be loaded on the CPU 902 or various parameters orthe like arbitrarily changed in execution of the program.

These structural elements are connected to each other by, for example,the host bus 908 capable of performing high-speed data transmission. Forits part, the host bus 908 is connected through the bridge 910 to theexternal bus 912 whose data transmission speed is relatively low, forexample. Furthermore, the input unit 916 is, for example, a mouse, akeyboard, a touch panel, a button, a switch, or a lever. Also, the inputunit 916 may be a remote control that can transmit a control signal byusing an infrared ray or other radio waves.

The output unit 918 is, for example, a display device such as a CRT, anLCD, a PDP or an ELD, an audio output device such as a speaker orheadphones, a printer, a mobile phone, or a facsimile, that can visuallyor auditorily notify a user of acquired information. Moreover, the CRTis an abbreviation for Cathode Ray Tube. The LCD is an abbreviation forLiquid Crystal Display. The PDP is an abbreviation for Plasma DisplayPanel. Also, the ELD is an abbreviation for Electro-LuminescenceDisplay.

The storage unit 920 is a device for storing various data. The storageunit 920 is, for example, a magnetic storage device such as a hard diskdrive (HDD), a semiconductor storage device, an optical storage device,or a magneto-optical storage device. The HDD is an abbreviation for HardDisk Drive.

The drive 922 is a device that reads information recorded on the removalrecording medium 928 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, amagneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, or writes informationin the removal recording medium 928. The removal recording medium 928is, for example, a DVD medium, a Blu-ray medium, an HD-DVD medium,various types of semiconductor storage media, or the like. Of course,the removal recording medium 928 may be, for example, an IC card onwhich a non-contact IC chip is mounted or an electronic device. The ICis an abbreviation for Integrated Circuit.

The connection port 924 is a port such as an USB port, an IEEE1394 port,a SCSI, an RS-232C port, or a port for connecting an externallyconnected device 930 such as an optical audio terminal. The externallyconnected device 930 is, for example, a printer, a mobile music player,a digital camera, a digital video camera, or an IC recorder. Moreover,the USB is an abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus. Also, the SCSI isan abbreviation for Small Computer System Interface.

The communication unit 926 is a communication device to be connected toa network 932, and is, for example, a communication card for a wired orwireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or WUSB, an opticalcommunication router, an ADSL router, or various communication modems.The network 932 connected to the communication unit 926 is configuredfrom a wire-connected or wirelessly connected network, and is theInternet, a home-use LAN, infrared communication, visible lightcommunication, broadcasting, or satellite communication, for example.Moreover, the LAN is an abbreviation for Local Area Network. Also, theWUSB is an abbreviation for Wireless USB. Furthermore, the ADSL is anabbreviation for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line.

3: Conclusion

Lastly, technical content according to embodiments of the presentinvention will briefly be summarized. Technical content described herecan be applied to various information processing apparatuses such asPCs, mobile phones, mobile game machines, mobile information terminals,home information appliances, and car navigation systems.

The function configuration of the above information processingapparatuses can be expressed as follows. The relevant informationprocessing apparatus includes a travelable information display unit thatdisplays before a discharge, regarding motor-driven movable bodies of adischarge source and a discharge destination driven by using electricpower of batteries, information about places to which the motor-drivenmovable body of the discharge source can move using electric power ofthe battery left after the discharge by assuming, when information abouta discharge amount discharged from the battery of the motor-drivenmovable body of the discharge source toward the motor-driven movablebody of the discharge destination that receives power supply is input, acase in which the discharge amount is discharged from the battery.

Thus, by presenting information to the user about places to which themotor-driven movable body after the discharge can travel beforeperforming a discharging operation, the user can decide an appropriatedischarge amount with reference to the information. Reachable placesinclude, for example, charging stations where charging facilities areinstalled and the destination. The destination need not necessarily havecharging facilities installed thereon. This is because the destinationcan play the same role as a charging station if another motor-drivenmovable body is awaited at the destination to receive electric powerfrom the other motor-driven movable body there. By applying theconfiguration according to the present embodiment in this manner,troubles of the motor-driven movable body on the discharging side orboth motor-driven movable bodies unable to travel after the dischargecan be avoided.

The operation unit 160 and the display unit 167 are examples of atravelable information display unit or a range presentation unit. Theoperation unit 160 is an example of an operation processing unit or anattribute specifying unit.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

In the description related to the above embodiments, for example,travelable areas displayed on a map are indicated by hatching (actually,color-coding, classification by pattern and the like) on roads, but asshown in FIG. 32, travelable areas may be displayed by a circle orellipse using the current location as the center thereof. While thehatching display on roads can advantageously take road attributes (forexample, suspension of traffic, one-way traffic, speed limit,school-commuting road, and no entry) into consideration, the displaymethod in FIG. 32 has an advantage that the travelable distance is madeeasier to understand. Moreover, if the display method in FIG. 32 isused, the travelable areas can be calculated from travelable distanceinformation only, contributing to speed enhancement of the display.Needless to say, it is desirable to allow the user to set which displaymethod to use.

What is claimed is:
 1. A charging system, comprising: a discharge sourcedevice comprising: a display; a first battery to store electric powerfor the discharge source device; circuitry configured to: discharge anamount of electric power to a discharge destination device; and provideto the display information about a second amount of electric powerstored in the first battery; a discharge destination device, comprising;a second display; a second battery to store electric power for thedischarge destination device; second circuitry configured to: charge thesecond battery from the amount of electric power discharged from thedischarge source device; and provide to the second display informationabout a third amount of electric power stored in the second battery,wherein both the discharge source device and the discharge destinationdevice are same type of device, and wherein both the discharge sourcedevice and the discharge destination device communicate wirelessly todischarge the discharge source device and charge the dischargedestination device.
 2. The charging system of claim 1, wherein both thedischarge source device and the discharge destination device areinformation processing devices with a telephoning function.
 3. Thecharging system of claim 1, wherein the discharge source device has abiometric authentication sensor configured to read biometric informationabout a user of the discharge source device and to authenticate theuser.
 4. The charging system of claim 3, wherein the biometricauthentication sensor that reads information about at least one of afingerprint, a finger vein, and a retina.
 5. The charging system ofclaim 3, wherein the discharge source device is configured to accept auser operation to start discharge after authentication is successful. 6.The charging system of claim 1, wherein the discharge source device andthe discharge destination device both have a discharge function andautomatically select which of the discharge source device and thedischarge destination device shall discharge the amount of electricpower.
 7. The charging system of claim 6, wherein the discharge sourcedevice and the discharge destination device are configured to select thedevice with a higher amount of remaining power in the respective batteryto discharge electric power.
 8. The charging system of claim 1, whereinthe circuitry of the discharge source device is further configured todischarge the amount of electric power in response to selection by auser.
 9. The charging system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry of thedischarge source device is further configured to: determine the amountof electric power to discharge in response to a user input; andterminate the discharge when the amount of electric power is reached.